Why girls’ education is the key to a fairer, more empowered world
Right now, more than 120 million girls worldwide are out of school. Girls are still more likely than boys to be denied their right to learn, especially in times of crisis. Conflict, poverty, discrimination and early marriage are keeping millions of girls from classrooms, robbing them of opportunities to shape their futures.
We know that girls’ education is one of the most powerful drivers of gender equality, child empowerment, and long-term development. And we’re working to make it possible – even in the most difficult circumstances.
Why education is every girl’s right
Every child has a right to learn no matter where they live, their gender, or what challenges they face. And education does more than teach literacy or numeracy: it builds confidence, self-worth, and a foundation for equality.
When girls stay in school, they are more likely to delay marriage, have fewer and healthier children, and escape cycles of poverty. In fact, for each additional year a girl spends in school, her income as an adult is likely to increase by up to 20%. They’re also more likely to become leaders and advocates for their own rights – creating generational change in the process.
Education isn’t just an individual right – it’s a collective solution. That’s why Save the Children works around the world to break down barriers and promote gender-sensitive, inclusive learning, in line with Article 28 in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Barriers keeping girls from the classroom
Despite its importance, girls’ access to education is often disrupted by forces beyond their control.
Crises such as conflict or displacement can abruptly end a girl’s schooling. Families facing economic hardship may prioritise boys’ education or rely on girls for caregiving and chores. In some communities, harmful gender norms can promote early marriage and discourage girls from attending school.
Girls with disabilities, those from minority backgrounds, and those living in remote areas face even more obstacles. And even when girls are enrolled, poor-quality teaching or lack of basic facilities – such as safe toilets – can make it hard to stay.
Whilst Australia generally has a high level of education, there are still young people affected by these issues. Save the Children Australia is working with the Northern Territory Department of Education to ensure that every child, including those with special educational needs, has access to meaningful and inclusive education.
Without targeted support that helps children overcome barriers, these challenges can compound – leading many girls to drop out permanently.
One girl’s story: a journey back to the classroom
14-year-old Yasmin* is a Rohingya refugee living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Born with disabilities that affect her hearing and ability to understand complex information, she often struggled to keep up at school – leaving her feeling isolated and disengaged.
“She didn’t know how to study,” says her mother, Tasmeen*. “Which worried me a lot.”
That changed when Yasmin began attending a Community-Based Learning Centre supported by Save the Children and operated in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion. Teachers at the centre are trained to support children with disabilities and adapt lessons to each child’s needs.
Now, Yasmin receives personalised guidance, with visual prompts and accessible materials that help her stay engaged. She’s learning to read, write, and draw – and her confidence is growing.
“She knows a lot,” says Tasmeen. “Seeing even this much improvement makes us happy!”
Even in one of the world’s toughest environments, Yasmin’s story shows how inclusive education can help girls rebuild confidence and reconnect with learning.
How Save the Children helps girls stay in school
Save the Children runs girls’ education programs all around the world – including in Australia. From play-based early learning in First Nations communities to education in emergencies across conflict zones, our focus is clear: every child deserves a chance to learn and thrive.
Our programs help:
- Train teachers in gender-sensitive practices
- Improve access to safe, inclusive learning environments
- Provide cash support and materials to families in crisis
- Support out-of-school girls to re-enter formal education
- Deliver early learning and literacy programs that engage girls from the start.
In emergencies, our child-friendly spaces and temporary learning centres ensure education doesn’t stop – even when the world turns upside down.
We also advocate for stronger policies, better funding, and accountability from governments to uphold the rights of girls everywhere.
Education’s ripple effect on families and communities
When a girl is educated, everyone benefits. She is more likely to participate in civic life, promote healthier behaviours in her family, and contribute to the economic resilience of her community.
Studies show that each additional year of school can increase a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%. In communities with higher levels of girls’ education, child marriage rates drop and maternal mortality falls.
In Save the Children’s programs across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, we see time and again that investing in girls’ education fuels social and economic transformation.
These ripple effects are especially profound in humanitarian settings, where girls are often the first to be pulled out of school – and the last to return. Reversing that trend means not only giving girls back their futures, but helping whole societies recover, stabilise and grow.
A call for global action on girls’ education
We’re calling on governments and partners around the world to prioritise:
- Gender-responsive education systems
- Community-led approaches that challenge harmful norms
- Better support for girls in conflict, displacement, and poverty
- Stronger legal protections against early marriage and gender-based violence
Every girl deserves to learn – safely, equally, and without fear. But ensuring gender equality in education takes more than goodwill. It requires funding, commitment, and a shift in how we value girls and their rights.
Donate now to help girls stay in school, even in times of crisis.
*Names changed to protect identity.