When we speak of the greatest forces for change in the world, it’s easy to imagine world-changing inventions or monumental political movements. But oftentimes, the greatest revolution begins with something much more ordinary—and much more significant—a girl in a classroom, studying. Girls’ education has an effect that extends far beyond the schoolyard, shaping futures, raising up communities, and making nations stronger.
Educating girls isn’t merely a matter of getting them into school. It’s about providing them with the opportunity to learn, feel safe, and get through every step of their education. It is about equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to become productive members of the workforce, keep pace with a rapidly changing world, and make wise decisions in their own lives.
The dividends spread far and wide. Educated women are more likely to be informed about nutrition and healthcare, marry later, and have fewer, healthier children. They’re more likely to work in the formal economy, earn higher incomes, and invest in their families. According to the World Bank, the cost of girls not completing 12 years of education adds up to between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings worldwide. That’s more than a statistic—it’s a reminder of potential locked and waiting to be unleashed.
The road to education, however, is not easy for all girls. 122 million girls today are not in school—34 million of primary age and 87 million of secondary age. While boys and girls are entering school in about equal numbers in most countries, the situation differs when it comes to completing school, particularly in poor and war-affected regions. In such areas, girls are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than boys, and in secondary school, 90% more likely to be out of school than their counterparts in more stable settings.
Poverty is also one of the main obstacles. Low-income family girls, rural girls, minority girls, or girls with disabilities are frequently the first to fall behind. But money isn’t the only obstacle. Violence—en route to school or in classrooms—leaves a long and destructive shadow. It is estimated by the World Bank that 60 million girls are sexually abused on the way to or at school each year, a truth that destroys health, self-confidence, and the ability to continue learning. School-related gender-based violence is a major driver of absence and dropout.
Child marriage is also a key barrier. Each day, over 41,000 girls under 18 are married. Young marriage means that girls are much more likely to drop out of school early, give birth before they are ready, and experience increased rates of violence. Stopping child marriage has the potential to realize more than $500 billion in benefits each year, not to mention the priceless dignity and possibilities it would provide to millions of girls.
Even if girls do reach school, gender stereotypes may subtly color their aspirations. Subtle cues from teachers, textbooks, and friends can reinforce old notions of what girls are supposed to do, dissuading them from studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These forces can carry over into adulthood, perpetuating the workforce gender gap. In regions such as South Asia and the Middle East, and North Africa, for instance, female labor market participation remains only 26% and 20%, respectively, far behind other regions.
And while increasing numbers of young women are entering college in some parts of the world, that hasn’t necessarily meant more career opportunities or autonomy. The learning crisis is real: in low- and middle-income countries, nearly half of all girls cannot read at a basic level by the age of 10. In low-income countries, the figure rises to 93—a dismal reminder that being in school is only a partial solution.
Even so, the prospect for transformation is remarkable. The World Bank estimates that if African nations adopted tested practices to advance girls’ education, they would contribute an additional $2.4 trillion to their economies by 2040. When girls get an education, whole communities prosper—families are healthier, economies become stronger, and societies are more prosperous.