Educating Girls Is Not Enough, We Need To Ensure They Join The Workforce Too

Since the beginning of the civilisation, it has always been the expectation that the men go out in the field and do the hard, and stereotypically labelled ‘masculine jobs, and earn the bread and butter for the household. At the same time, women are expected to stay at home, take care of the household, be dependent on the men and always behave in a manner which is ‘lady-like’.

With changing times and reforms being made both socially and politically, women got the opportunity to vote, drive, publish books, and express their opinions. However, can we claim that we have achieved equality in the true sense?

Of the millions of girls around the world, a significant number does not receive the benefits of these changes being made in society.

Let us assume that in the 21st century, society has agreed upon the fact that we are all equal. All genders are the same, and there is no difference between them when it comes to access to education. By education here, I specifically mean going to a school, attending the classes, excelling in the exams, and thereafter completing their schooling.

We all fail to notice that maybe with changing times, many girls are allowed to go to school, and learn their basic fundamental rights, yet, the freedom to work, both prior to and post their marriage is still a challenge.

One can ponder over how many working women they are surrounded by, who are paid higher or equivalent to their male counterparts. Society has come to a point where it’s understood that a girl needs to be educated because it is her fundamental right, but fails to realize that right to work is also a right that is given to her as soon as she is born.

Unfortunately, it is not only the society that skips this part, even women who work hard and secure an education fail to realize that joining the workforce is also a job to be done. They buy the idea imposed on them by the society that their life’s important goals are to be educated and then married to a well-settled man.

If a girl is educated and chooses to work, then there are a number of direct benefits that she will receive:

1. She will be more aware of society and how it works. She will be in touch with the realities of life, and her ambitions will match the real opportunities available to her. Illusions and unreasonable hopes will not arise, and she will understand the real meaning of equality.
2. She will value time, will be more disciplined, and will also understand how life around one’s occupation works.
3. If in any case there is a tragedy or an event like COVID-19 or any other reason leading to unfavorable situations in life, she will be independent and capable of taking care of herself and her family.
4. She will have better knowledge and will be more aware of issues to talk about and engage with other individuals.
5. She will be in a more reasonable state to form opinions and ensure that she can make her own decisions and hold up accountability for her choices.
6. She will not accept any harassment, and the current circle of violence and suppression could finally end.
7. She will understand what she deserves and would be in a better place, where she does not have to settle for a kind of treatment she does not deserve.

Not only this, but there are also benefits for their male counterparts and family members:

1. The men will no longer be the only one to work and earn for the family. They will even have the option to quit their jobs and do household chores if their female counterpart is earning sufficiently.
2. They won’t have to deal with unreasonable expectations.
3. They will also be able to reject toxic masculine expectations.
4. There will be more generation of income for the family.
5. The men will no longer be scared and stressed about earning more to sustain the family.
6. An atmosphere of more respect and understanding would be built.
7. It will be a greater step towards betterment, progress, and economic growth.

The women need to understand that only being educated is not a step towards progress, rather, contributing to society and family, mentally, physically and financially is crucial too. The world is a small place, and each one of us only has twenty-four hours a day to make the most of it. If the burden to earn is shared, if the roles are chosen as per one’s choices, then every minute of life would be significantly more content, grateful, and appreciated.

In the 21st century, we need to part ways from the old trail of ideologies; we need reforms, and it will only happen if each one of us understands that a voice is important irrespective of the gender behind it. Every opinion and perspective are vital for growth, development, and happy households.

Girls cannot be treated as a burden. Education is the best way to beat the notion that they are a burden to their parents and husband. Education needs to go beyond building a fancy biodata so they can marry well and stay at home. They must get a chance to pursue their ambitions. Education is a means to attaining confidence, but when you work and face the work culture, only then, you truly build confidence.

If women join the workforce, it will also unburden them for the default responsibilities that society has allotted them. Being educated is not enough, being able to convert raw opportunities into useable resources is the key to change, betterment, and happiness.