As the Congo is so often thrust into the spotlight, we find ourselves immersed in talks of rape and conflict, but one key that is ofter missing in dialog is that of education.
“We cannot talk of peace, economic development and a future for the Democratic Republic of Congo if the government and donors do not commit in investing in education – the bedrock of human advancement,” says Carl Becker, Save the Children’s Country Director in Congo. (All Africa)
We are quickly approaching the 2015 deadline to reach the Millennium Development Goals, including that of primary education for all. This pending deadline has many in the Congo asking if this goal is attainable in the country. With over half the countries children lacking primary education, the question is vital to the country’s stability. According to Ciaran Donnelly, Regional Director for the International Rescue Committee in Congo, one of the key factors to success is foreign investment;
“International and government investment in Congo’s education sector is grossly insufficient, if we continue with a business as usual approach, basic education will remain an impossible dream for millions of Congolese children.” (All Africa)
The question on the attainability of primary education for all in the Congo remains unanswered, sadly they are not alone. The UN’s Millennium Development Goal to see that all children receive and complete a full their primary education, regardless of gender, is a vital to see sustainability and reduce conflict across the globe. This is often the case in the Congo, as the education system is mainly comprised of school fees, which leave many Congolese families in an uphill battle just to feed children, let alone to keep them in school. However if the goals are to be meet then we must work to see that education is free, an issue which many families still struggle to attain funds for or are forced to choose between funds for school or often food for the family.
Through education the negative gender-based norms and practices that are all to commonplace in many countries around the world, can gradually be replaced with the positive image of empowered and educated women and girls. Education combined with social, legal and other positive practices will give way to gender-equality. However if such steps are not taken and gender inequality continues to prevail in societies then the balance of power will continue to see women and girls teetering in an unbalanced world for the duration of their lives and generations to come. Providing girls with an education is our most powerful weapon in the battle to wipe-out gender inequality.
Girls who receive an education are more likely to marry later and therefore have smaller and healthier families as well as reduce their own health risks and child mortality rates. Through education girls are more aware of their rights, how they claim them for themselves and their families, and be more likely to assert them. Access to education not only empowers women to assert their rights, but opens the doors to economic opportunities for women and their families, as women begin to contribute to the families needs and ensure that their children have access to education and begin to break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty.
Gender equality on all levels of education is also vital to ensuring both access to education, but also an end to gender-based violence, child labor, and other human rights issues which must be address to see children across the globe are given a chance at a sustainable future. Education is not only an essential human right for all children, but the gateway out of poverty. Education is empowerment and empowerment is the key to braking the cycle of poverty that binds countless children across the globe.
The high level for which education has been given in the development arena and impact that it has in reducing gender inequities is stressed by its inclusion in the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). The MDGs called for the elimination of gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and to all levels of education no later than 2015. However while progress has been made we are a long way from seeing that all children have fair and equal access to adequate education across the globe. Therefore education must truly be at the forefront of any relief, aid and community development programs both in regards to educating communities on the impact and harm of gender inequality and violence as well as in regards to access to adequate primary and secondary education for all.
