Worldwide, more girls are in school today than ever before – a significant step in the right direction that offers hope. Yet around 122 million school-age girls still have no access to education. Poverty, child marriage, discrimination, natural disasters, displacement and crises rob them of the chance to reach their full potential.
Why girls’ education is so important
Girls who are able to learn are better protected from violence, enjoy better health, have more career opportunities and can shape their own futures. They make their own choices – and transform not only their own lives, but also those of their communities and generations to come.
Learning today.
Building tomorrow.
How UNICEF supports girls’ education
- Ensuring completion of secondary education – for example, through targeted tutoring and the creation of safe, supportive learning environments, so that girls are not forced to leave school early.
- Building digital and vocational skills – for example, by setting up learning spaces with internet access and offering computer courses, especially in regions where girls have little access to online resources.
- Promoting health and dignity – for example, by providing menstrual hygiene products and improving sanitation facilities in schools.
- Protecting against violence and discrimination – for example, through awareness-raising and working with communities to remove obstacles such as discrimination or child marriage.
- Maintaining education during crises – for example, through temporary classrooms, online courses and the distribution of school supplies, so that girls can continue learning even in emergencies.
