The Health Impact of Gender Inequality in Education

(Updated on 03/08/2021)

Promoting gender equality is one of the most important global efforts taking place today. When women and girls have access to education and can make decisions about their future, not only do the individuals benefit, but society benefits in many ways as well—especially in the realm of health care. 

The Impact of Gender Inequality in Education on Women's Health

Although great strides are being made in the field of health care and maternal health, discrimination against women and girls still occurs in many cultures. This has a disproportionate effect on families living in poverty. 

Making sure girls have access to educational opportunities is one of the most effective ways of bridging this gender gap and improving health care. Literacy and life skills education that begins in early childhood and continues through young adulthood can help enable girls to make informed decisions and advocate for their own health. Even small victories on the march toward equality can make a major difference in the lives of girls and women living in poverty.

A group of young women in India perform a play demonstrating the dangers of child marriage.

According to a report from the World Health Organization, denying primary education to young girls has been shown to negatively impact fertility rates, birth spacing, health literacy and healthy behaviors. Similar reports have found that educating women in Africa and Latin America also lowers their risk of HIV infection.

When women and girls are empowered through educational opportunities, they are able to better understand the safest health practices, learning the best ways to deal with common issues in their communities. Training women to become health workers, especially within the realm of maternal care, can foster independence while building a sustainable health care system. Additionally, health education allows these women to make informed decisions about personal health care, which in turn can help them avoid preventable diseases or potentially dangerous procedures.

In many countries where ChildFund works, we have helped train women to work with mothers, providing information about their health and their children's development. In Indonesia, for example, women known as "health cadres" have caused a cultural shift in their communities, leading more women to have their babies in hospitals instead of at home. This has led to lower birth mortality rates. In some of our programs in South America, a similar program called "Guide Mothers" trains moms to travel door-to-door to talk with parents, educating them on parenting issues such as proper nutrition, breastfeeding, violence prevention, and early mental stimulation for proper child development. 

Sonia is one of three guide mothers in her village in Cochabamba Department, Bolivia. Here she is shown outside her house nursing her 11-month-old daughter, Liz.

Empowering and Educating Girls Improves Communities

As we see daily in news reports, we have a long way to go before all women have the chance to live independent, fulfilled lives, but the world is making some headway in gender equality. Whether it's empowering girls by providing access to education, making sure that young mothers have the necessary maternal care or equipping women with the knowledge and resources required to sustain their own income—these efforts require your continued support.

Victa learns in her fourth grade classroom constructed by ChildFund in eastern Uganda.

ChildFund works with many girls and young women in developing countries on gender issues, providing them with opportunities for health care and education so they can become healthy, independent adults.

We have many options for helping girls and women, from one-time donations to ongoing child sponsorship, and your gift could make a lasting impact on a girl's future.