School-going
girls: rare
species?

UN report on ‘The State of The World’s Children – 2004’ finds a sharp fall in number of girls being enrolled in primary schools.

1. More boys..always
When school gates swing open, both girls and boys swarm in. But the number of girls thins down slowly...

‘Gender parity’ (the red line in graph) means education for all — girls and boys. Equally.

Does it happen?

While in a tiny country like Vanuatu more girls are going to school than boys, India remains far below the parity line!

Most countries, including ours, dont provide free, compul-sory, and most importantly, ‘acceptable’ education facilities for girls and boys alike.

2.No latrines and no drinking water in schools
Even if primary education is ensured, schools fail to provide a safe environment as children grow up. Numbers decline at the secondary level, especially of girls, and there are various rea-sons for this high dropout rate.

Girls are roped in for domestic chores or are the first to be taken for work whenever there is an economic crisis…

Inadequate sanitation facility for girls is a very critical factor in triggering dropouts at the sec-ondary level. Schools with safe water and separate latrines improve girls’ attendance.

Schools with latrines get more girls Girls : Boys (in secondary schools 1995-2000)
Over 100%-	91 - 100 %	81 - 90 %	80% and under
North America	Myanmar	Uzbekistan	Mexico
Argentina	Peru	Tanzania	Chile
Brazil	Kazakasthan	Zambia	India
Russia	China	Ukraine	Pakistan
Sri Lanka	Ghana		Nepal
Australia	Nigeria		Afghanistan*
England	Indonesia		Mozambique
Spain	Kenya		Ethiopia*
South Africa	Italy		Angola
Zimbabwe	Germany		Rwanda*
Libya	Iran		Sudan*
France	Algeria		Cambodia*
Japan			Papua New Guinea*
*Under 50%of the population uses improved drinking water sources – 2000..

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