Dixya Poudel

The education sector has been severely affected worldwide as students earnestly hope for normal classes once the pandemic abates. However, things aren't looking up for the majority of girls in the underdeveloped nations as they might not be returning to their schools. Due to the fear of virus contagion and the need of helping hands at home, some of the parents aren’t likely to send their girls back to school. This is partly due to misinformation and lack of awareness among the lower socioeconomic families in the developing nations. Likewise, millions of girls globally are at a risk of not returning to their school.
Due to the requirement of social distancing to curb the coronavirus, most schools have been organising their classes online. However, it has only benefited those students who have access to technologies such as mobile phones and computers along with an internet connection. Further, the learning environment is somewhat limited in remote education and thus cannot fully compare to the normal classes. And those without the access to required technologies are deprived from continuing their education.
Things are worse for girls who have been marginalised even before the current crisis in the underdeveloped countries. In the developed nations, however the circumstances are notably different with fewer girls stepping up in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The STEM gap in gender is certainly a cause for concern. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), "This gender disparity is alarming, especially as STEM careers are often referred to as the jobs of the future, driving innovation, social wellbeing, inclusive growth and sustainable development." Organisations such as UNESCO are working to empower girls by encouraging and enabling their participation and continuation of STEM education in schools. Women constitute only 28 per cent of workforce in STEM with men outnumbering women in such fields in colleges and universities. And women majorly represent lower paying fields of work. What causes this gender disparity? And what can we do to bridge the gap? Societal and cultural norms in the form of stereotypes and limiting belief systems certainly factor in. Likewise, girls and young women must be encouraged to further their education in their fields of study and not languish and wither in the backgrounds of patriarchy. It is also necessary to address their concerns when it comes to their educational opportunities and consequent advancement.
Women make up half the world's population. They are the ones running behind the scenes of most households and are responsible for the nurturing of the young ones. It is well-known that educated women educate the entire family that further benefits their communities. Despite their irrefutable potentials, women are confined to household chores in most underdeveloped societies. Even in the developed nations, there are prevalent stereotypes and gender disparities. With education, girls are certainly empowered to be a well-informed, educated and contributing member of their communities. Therefore, nations throughout the world need to ensure that girls aren’t being marginalised in the societal backgrounds. And the current coronavirus crisis shouldn't backtrack the education of the girls who are equally entitled to their personal growth. When it comes to the prosperity of the collective human society, the education of girls is a must.