Can we achieve gender parity in education by 2030?

The dream of achieving gender equality in education isn’t just an ambitious goal—it’s essential for building a just and thriving society. Yet, for millions of girls in India, even the basic right to attend school feels like a distant dream. Cultural norms, financial hardships, and deep-seated biases keep countless girls from stepping into a classroom. For every girl who overcomes these challenges, there are many more whose aspirations remain unfulfilled.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4—ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030—sets an inspiring benchmark. But here’s the tough question: Are we doing enough to make it a reality?

The Reality for Girls in India

India has made noteworthy progress in girls’ education over the years. Initiatives like the Right to Education Act (2009) and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) have significantly improved enrollment numbers. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022, several states now report near-equal enrollment rates for boys and girls in primary schools—a commendable achievement.

However, the road ahead remains riddled with challenges.

• High Dropout Rates: Around 40% of rural girls drop out before completing secondary school.
  • Take the case of Pooja from Rajasthan, who had to leave school at 14 because her family prioritized her brother’s education. Thanks to intervention by a local NGO, Pooja is now back in school and excelling.
• Child Marriages: About 27% of Indian girls are married before the age of 18, cutting their education short.
  • Anita, from Bihar, was married off at 16, forcing her to abandon her studies. Organizations like Girls Not Brides are tirelessly working to change this narrative, but shifting ingrained cultural practices is a slow process.
• The Digital Divide: The pandemic highlighted glaring inequalities, with nearly 47% of rural girls unable to access online learning due to a lack of smartphones or internet connectivity.
  • Rekha, a tribal girl from Madhya Pradesh, missed two years of school during the pandemic for this very reason. Thankfully, a local NGO set up a community learning center, enabling her to continue her education.

In urban areas, the outlook is somewhat better, but for girls in rural and tribal communities, barriers such as poor infrastructure, unsafe roads, and regressive social norms persist.

Barriers Hindering Progress

1. Cultural Norms and Safety Concerns

For many families, educating a boy is seen as an investment, while educating a girl is still viewed as unnecessary. Safety concerns, such as long commutes to schools, often force parents to withdraw their daughters.

• In parts of Uttar Pradesh, for example, parents stopped sending their daughters to school because the nearest school was 8 kilometers away and unsafe to access. Programs like UNICEF’s Transport for Education aim to address this, but change is slow.

2. Financial Pressures

In low-income households, girls are often pulled out of school to contribute to household chores or earn a living.

• Asha, from Maharashtra, had to quit school to work as a domestic helper. Thanks to evening classes provided by Pratham, she’s now balancing education and her responsibilities.

3. Policy Implementation Gaps

While India has several robust policies, like the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) scheme, poor execution limits their effectiveness.

• For instance, in Odisha, a KGBV school faced severe teacher shortages, leaving students without lessons for weeks. Media coverage eventually prompted action, but these systemic gaps shouldn’t exist in the first place.

4. Transitioning to Higher Education

Even when girls complete primary schooling, advancing to secondary or higher education is often a challenge due to inadequate infrastructure or safety concerns.

• Farida, a gifted student from Assam, couldn’t pursue college because there were no hostels nearby. Initiatives like Tata Trusts’ residential schools are making strides, but the demand far exceeds the supply.

Ongoing Efforts to Empower Girls

The government, non-profits, and corporate entities are taking active steps to improve the situation:

Government Initiatives

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): This campaign has helped shift societal mindsets and increase girl enrollment rates, particularly in states like Haryana.
• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV): These residential schools enable marginalized girls to access education safely.
• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: By focusing on infrastructure and digital tools, this program is bridging gaps in remote areas.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs

• Project Nanhi Kali (Mahindra Group): Supporting over 500,000 girls, this initiative provides school supplies and remedial classes.
• Tata Steel’s Thousand Schools Program: Targeting tribal regions, it has brought education to over 200,000 children, many of them girls.
• IBM STEM for Girls: Teaching digital and STEM skills, this program inspires girls to pursue careers in technology.

The Road to 2030: What Needs to Change?

To achieve gender parity in education by 2030, we must address the root causes of inequality with urgency and innovation.

1. Enforce Policies Effectively:

• Ensure proper funding and monitoring of initiatives like BBBP and KGBV.
• Empower local authorities to implement policies effectively.

2. Close the Digital Gap:

• Provide affordable smartphones and internet access in rural areas.
• Launch grassroots digital literacy programs to include entire communities.

3. Improve Infrastructure:

• Build more schools with clean sanitation facilities for girls.
• Offer safe transportation options for students in remote areas.

4. Shift Social Norms:

• Train local women as teachers to serve as role models.
• Conduct community campaigns to challenge traditional gender roles.

5. Incentivize Education:

• Offer scholarships, menstrual hygiene kits, and vocational training to make education more accessible.

A Brighter Future Is Possible

So, can India achieve gender parity in education by 2030? The answer is a resounding yes - but only if we treat it as a national priority. Stories like those of Pooja, Anita, and Rekha prove that while the barriers are real, they are not insurmountable.

The key lies in channeling resources where they’re needed most - into villages, schools, and local communities. Educating girls isn’t just about them; it’s about uplifting families, transforming societies, and shaping the nation’s future.

This isn’t just a question of whether we can achieve gender parity. It’s a matter of commitment. Because every girl deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive - and the world is a better place when she does.