However over the years the participation of girls in education across all levels has been on a slow but steady rise. Awareness has been created and is being created to shine light on some of the long held beliefs and practices known to affect the inclusion of girls in education.
In some parts of Nigeria where under-aged marriage is commonly practiced, there is a lot of ongoing sensitization of girls and their families on the importance of basic education. In some cases criminal prosecution is used as a deterrent against such practices.
From 1970 to 1994, the enrollment in primary education steadily increased from 30% to as high as 80% according to UNICEF, but differences still exist between enrollment of males and females in all levels of education. In addition the drop out level for girls still remains higher than boys. In 2002 the combined gross enrollment for females in primary, secondary and tertiary schools was 57% compared to 71% for males. In 2010 the female adult literacy rate (ages 15 and above) for Nigerian women was 59.4% in comparison to the male adult literacy rate of 74.4%. The percentage for female workers in some selected professions in 2012 were as follows: Architects 2.4%, quantity surveyors 3.5%, lawyers/Jurist 25.4%, lecturers 11.8%, obstetrics and gynecologists 8.4%, pediatricians 33.3%, media practitioners 18.3%.
Today women in Nigeria have more access to quality education and are more likely to benefit from scholarships and study grants as compared to previous decades. Currently Nigerian women are making many advancements within the society.
In recent years three male dominated professional associations – The Nigerian medical association, the Nigerian Bar Association and institute of chattered accounts of Nigeria have been led by female presidents.
Bethesda Child Support Agency believes in the equality of both female and male children, which is why we offer equal support to both genders.
There are currently 800 children enrolled in the Bethesda education program and 500 of these children are at risk of dropping out due to lack of sponsors. 200 of this children are girls. We will like to call on your support today – the International Day of the Girl Child to help keep these female children in school for another academic session.
It takes only N100,000 to keep a child in school for a year, to sponsor a girl child toady, please call Chris on 09067227706.