Gender Biases in Sudanese Education

Kathryn Breitenborn, UNIC Washington DC
 
On January 9^th 2011 the people in South Sudan voted for a separation of the country. The referendum provoked a big debate: what will be the way forward for South Sudan? This was the theme in a recent debate where three panelists who had been in various parts of Sudan during the referendum were invited to talk about their experiences. During the discussion, the panelists noted that although voting rates were high both for women and men, no women were seen working at the polling centers where they were located. When engaged further on this issue, the consensus was that women throughout Sudan, especially in the South, were not receiving education and therefore do not hold federal positions.

NO EDUCATION. It is more likely for a woman in South Sudan to die during child birth than to finish primary school, according to UNGEI. This is partly due to the fact that educational facilities are missing, but still young girls are less likely to finish school than boys. According to a UNICEF article in 2005, approximately 500 females, in a population of 7 million, finished primary school. One reason is that poor families are likely to arrange the marriage of their daughters in exchange for a dowry which is collected on the day of the wedding. Once women are married it is unlikely that their husbands will allow them to attend school. It is often believed that women should stay at home and tend to the family with no other obligations. Instead of receiving education, it is likely that the married girls will become pregnant. One fifth of all adolescent girls had a child in 2005, according to UNICEF. It is also, by some, looked upon as inappropriate when girls receive education from male teachers.

NOT ONLY VIOLENCE. The UN is playing a great role regarding gender based violence, which will be increased with the development of UN Women. Hopefully the focus will expand from gender based violence, to gender based equality. The presence of the UN in South Sudan is of vital importance and will continue to be essential in improving the quality of life and security of the people. By looking closely at the statistics, it is obvious that Sudan’s women are in a different position than their male counterparts. The UNFPA country office in South Sudan reports that literacy rates in South Sudan are at a mere 24%. If women are examined alone the literacy rate is just 12%. If the women of Sudan are to have a stronger position in their country, these differences must be dealt with.

PROPERTY RIGHTS. For many women in African countries small-scale farming is the only means of survival. Still, women are not guaranteed land in the event of death or divorce. This represents a great risk in countries similar to Sudan where mortality rates are high. As mentioned in the State of the World report for 2011 by the Worldwatch Institute, helping women and families to produce more agricultural goods so that they are capable of selling some of their products is a good way to improve their living standards. This will make families able to invest in their own production. However, this should not and cannot be the only focus when considering farming in developing countries. A press for enhanced property rights for women is also needed. In addition, it is necessary to open new doors for women in other professions. Women in Senegal have been successfully accepted and integrated into the military, and there is hope that more women will be integrated in the future. How women can attain such a status in Sudan and other African countries remains a question to be answered. Certain cultural beliefs make changes more difficult, for example, comparing women to people who can not be the protector but who need to be protected.  

START NOW. The illiteracy rate is so high for women that we need to start with the education of young girls. UNICEF works to promote the enrollment of girls in schools. They have also promoted the Girls Education Movement (GEM) in Sudan, which promotes education through mentors and peers, and reinforces the empowerment of women in Southern Sudan. This is an important step in helping creating a more stable, economically viable and gender equal society.  

However, an understanding of the importance of education also requires educating males. Men need to understand the importance of educating women. They must be able to see what potential lies in creating a more diverse work force. Putting women in government positions and positions that require education will take time, but the time to start acting in now.

While, according to the Human Development Index, the two countries rank closely on overall human development (at 154 and 144 respectively):