Gender and Equity
Educating girls can produce profound improvements in society: well educated women make better health decisions, have fewer children, and experience less poverty than uneducated women. Still, in too many countries, girls' enrollment rates are low and dropout rates are high. Of the104 million children ages 6-11 who are not enrolled in school, 60 million are girls. Girls’ enrollment is hampered by high fees and other school costs, inaccessibility of schools, and safety and hygiene concerns at school. In addition, many school practices—in and out of the classroom—alienate girls.
IDD works to make education more accessible to girls by reaching out to rural and isolated populations, establishing gender equitable education, and promoting girls' enrollment and retention. IDD asks teachers and their instructors to analyze their teaching habits and provides clear, concrete steps teachers can take to ensure that children of both genders are engaged and learning.
Ultimately, these learner-centered educational practices benefit both boys and girls. As IDD works with donors, governments, and communities to deliver quality education, we also strive to assure that quality is delivered to all learners.
Information on the IDD projects involved in Gender and Equity.
