The Invisible Inferno: Women's Education in South Africa
by Katie Farrell
INTRODUCTION
In a world of a billion problems, the divide between inaction and action boils down to two questions: Why is this important and why should we deal with it now?
While this mentality often seems necessary for survival, it doesn’t prevent new fires from starting, only fends off the flames closest to us, our families, and our communities. The infernos only beginning to rage below the surface continue to develop and grow until their effects are laid before our eyes.
COVID-19 is an example of a raging fire slipping through the cracks, proving to the world that we can no longer wait for a crisis. Instead, we must address underlying solutions and causes that can combat multiple fires before they even begin. Women’s education is one of these underlying solutions. By promoting this one worthwhile initiative, women’s education can douse the flames of poverty, population growth, unequal democracies, and empower a new generation of citizens.
POVERTY
Education leads to opportunity. In the case of many women, opportunity leads to income. For families in poverty, any additional income will help provide for their families. In a country like South Africa, which struggles to curb poverty, additional income allows for fewer and fewer families to fall under the poverty line. The Borgen Project adds that “increased earning power and income combat against current and future poverty through feeding, clothing and providing for entire families” (The Borgen Project, 2020, 1). And this increased income due to further education is not insignificant. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, “a single year of primary education has shown to increase a girl’s wages later in life by 20 percent” (The Borgen Project, 2020, 1).
POPULATION GROWTH
Population growth represents another major crisis that governments must address. Women’s education can be part of this solution as well. As women continue their education, develop their careers, and pursue their aspirations, they further delay childbearing. This delay in having children shortens the time window in which women can have children. As a result, they have fewer children. More education also means the women are more educated and informed on family planning. They are more informed on the costs of raising a child and their child’s effects on the community and the world. This information allows them to take necessary family planning measures to have fewer children.
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Without proper education, it becomes increasingly difficult for women to participate in politics. Half of the citizens, half of the views, and half of the ideas are not being shared or implemented because half of the population is not able to participate. Increased education among women allows for increased literacy which in turn allows for easier political engagement as much of the political process relies on literacy. The Borgen Project indicates that “across the globe, women are underrepresented as voters and restricted from political involvement. The United Nations Women’s programmes on leadership and participation suggests that civic education, training and all around empowerment will ease this gap” (The Borgen Project, 2020, 1). The ability to participate in politics allows women to advocate for themselves without which there is no way to close the gap in political representation.
FEMALE EMPOWERMENT
Finally, education creates female empowerment and enables an entire half of the population to learn, lead, and live as productive members of society. In a series of interviews with students in South Africa, Holmarsdottir et al. found that “Education gives me confidence! Because when you are equipped with knowledge you find that you are accessible to opportunities and you can get things that make you strong” (Homarsdottir et al, 2011, 20). Other students recounted that “education opens doors to your future (Homarsdottir et al, 2011, 20).” It allows learners to “achieve and fulfill her dreams” and “understand the world around us” (Homarsdottir et al, 2011, 20). Additionally, “these girls feel that the education not only equips them with tools that are useful in everyday life, but also represents a hope for the future and the possibility of change” (Homarsdottir et al, 2011, 20). Their ability to manage their own lives and change their future engenders a feeling of control and power. They acknowledge that “feeling in control over one’s life is an important aspect of the psychological component of empowerment” (Homarsdottir et al, 2011, 20). Nothing gives more confidence than the ability to function independently and make it on your own.
CONCLUSION
On a personal note, education has changed the way I view myself and my role in the world. As a young child, I was told I could do anything, be anything. But, my parents added that it was only through education and hard work that I could make myself into the ‘anything’ I sought. Since then, my education has given me dreams, aspirations, and goals to strive for that have provided a light in the tunnel on the darkest days. This feeling is universal and even more critical in the lives of South African girls. They are faced with a patriarchal society rampant with gender-based violence and limiting gender roles. They need to have education to understand their power and recognize their dreams. They need an education to be functioning and full members of society. A woman's place is not in the home but in the world. Inkululeko recognizes this need in the community and works individually to achieve their goals and aspirations. In the more recent project Made in Makhanda, Inkululeko has sold handmade South African goods in the United States. This project directly supports female small business owners and artists, and helps to promote their work. Additionally, Inkululeko employs many women in the community allowing them to achieve their dreams in education.
Citations
Holmarsdottir, H., Ekne, I., & Augestad, H. (2011). The Dialectic between Global Gender Goals and Local Empowerment: Girls' Education in Southern Sudan and South Africa. Research in Comparative and International Education, 6(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2304/rcie.2011.6.1.14
Project, B. (2020, June 26). Top 10 Reasons Why Female Education is Important. The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/top-10-reasons-female-education-important/.