Why education is one of the best tools against gender inequality
Gender inequality is neither a problem of the past nor only a problem of developing countries. It is very much a current and global issue. In today’s world, women are still fighting to reach equality in many important aspects of life such as economic and educational equality, health and safety, as well as, political equality. At Code Blossom, we believe that education is key to fighting gender inequality sustainably.
Gender equality today
According to the latest global gender gap report, we are still 131 years away from reaching full parity in the world. 131 years, let that sink in. In a world so advanced and full of innovation, this seems unbelievable.
How education is linked to other areas of inequality
People facing inequality and discrimination often find themselves struggling with multiple challenges, all interconnected. This rings especially true for gender inequality. Globally, women still encounter significant obstacles in accessing even basic education compared to men. This lack of educational opportunity isn't just about studying; it spills over into other areas too. Without proper education, women often end up with poorer health and safety conditions, trapping them in a cycle of disadvantage. Plus, limited access to education means limited economic freedom for women, keeping them on the sidelines of economic activities. But it doesn't stop there – the inequality in education also holds women back from having their voices heard in politics and society. So, education isn't just about learning; it's a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and fighting gender inequality in every aspect of life.
Code Blossoms approach to the solution
Education is what we do, tech education specifically. It is the foundation of our organization and something we are extremely passionate about. We’ve reflected this in two of our core values:
Equality through education
Empowerment through marketable skills
It is our goal to give women in developing countries not only theoretical education but most importantly education in the shape of marketable skills. Because ultimately, education shall be the start of a bigger solution. Which is getting more women into the tech workforce and through that helping them gain more (economic) independence.
The tech industry is an incredibly important one in today’s world. So much of all our lives depends on tech and this will only become more true in the future. Yet the tech industry and the STEM sector as a whole, is made up of mostly men. Globally, only 29.2% of people working in STEM jobs are women.
What you can do to be part of the solution
There are many possibilities for you to have a positive impact on this problem
Mentoring: Passing on knowledge to other people is very rewarding and a relatively easy way to create positive change. You will find, that most of the time when you mentor others you end up learning from them as much as they learn from you.
Awareness: Create awareness for this issue within your social circle and share information about this topic and organizations working in this field.
Donate: By financially supporting organizations devoted to fostering education you can help those organizations help others.
A look into the future
In conclusion, gender equality and education are inextricably linked with one another. By supporting movements like ours, you can help women in developing countries gain a tech education and kickstart a better future for themselves in the tech industry.
We are rooting for the next generation of women in tech. Because in a world shaped by technology, we want this industry to be more equal and accessible to everyone. So that men and women can help define our future equally.
sources: global gender gap report
