BALAD HAWO, Gedo (Kaab TV) – In Somalia, free education, considered a fundamental right for citizens, remains unavailable, with significant disparities between girls’ and boys’ access to schooling.
Statistics show that girls often face systemic disadvantages in education. According to data from 2022, only 28% of students enrolled in Somali schools were girls, leaving the majority, 72%, as boys.
Furthermore, literacy rates for adult women stood at less than 22%, compared to 54% for men.
Despite these challenges, the Gedo, a region marred by conflict, has recently shown progress in increasing girls’ enrollment in schools.
Girls now make up more than 40% of students in educational institutions in the region, a notable improvement.
In Balad Hawo district alone, over 12,000 students were enrolled in schools during the last academic year.
Of these, more than 5,500 were girls, accounting for 45% of the total enrollment, according to the Ministry of Education’s records.
Local Communities Push for Change
Some communities in Gedo are beginning to recognize the importance of educating girls. In Balad Amiin, a pastoral village about seven kilometers from the Kenyan border, a local primary and secondary school has seen a significant increase in female enrollment.
“Girls enrollment this year reached 367 out of 722 students,” said Ibrahim Kalil Ibrahim, deputy principal of the school. “This shows significant progress in girls’ education as the community has increasingly recognized its importance.”
Similar trends are evident in Balad Hawo Secondary School, the first government-run high school in the area.
The Balad Amiin school principal, Abdulna’em, noted a rise in the number of girls attending higher grades.
“In the past, girls were mostly in primary school classes, but now there’s a notable change,” he said.
However, he highlighted that financial barriers remain a challenge.
“When it comes to tuition fees, parents often prioritize boys, leaving many girls out of school even after they’ve started their education,” he added.
While progress is being made, educators report that cultural and economic challenges continue to hinder girls’ education in Somalia.
“Numerous challenges still hinder girls’ education, starting from the schools themselves,” said Abdiaziz Mubarak, head of research at Gedo University.
“In rural areas, when girls finish primary school, they cannot access secondary schools in towns because parents prioritize boys. Economic difficulties, cultural pressures, forced marriages, and traditional beliefs are also barriers,” Abdiaziz remarked.
Abdiaziz emphasized the importance of changing these perceptions.
“Some believe a girl who can read and write doesn’t need further education because her role is to marry and become a housewife. This mindset must change,” he added.
Advocates argue that ensuring equal access to education is essential for Somalia’s development.
They believe that educating girls is critical to rebuilding the nation after decades of conflict and instability.
“An educated mother is the cornerstone of an educated nation,” Abdiaziz said, underlining the importance of addressing these challenges to achieve societal progress.