Solving the Problems of Girl Child Education in India – A Step Toward Equality

Just like boys, every girl has the right to education and to finding her own progress and equality. However, the sad truth is that there are many girls in India who are not given the right to study due to many reasons. It is high time that girl child education in India is given the importance that it deserves. Every child has the right to learn, dream, and grow, but countless girls are still denied this basic right. To build a truly equal and just society, we must first understand the problems of girl child education in India and work together to solve them.

Understanding the Issue: Challenges Facing Girl Child Education

What are the problems of girl child education in India?

Many problems contribute to the challenges of girl child education in India.  From poverty and child marriage to safety issues and poor infrastructure, girls in rural and many backward communities face hurdles before they can even reach a classroom. These problems faced by girl children in India often push them out of school and into roles where their potential remains buried and unexplored.

Issues in women's education: why obstacles persist beyond childhood

Even when a girl manages to study in her younger years, the problems of women's education do not disappear. Higher education becomes a problem for many women as a result of household responsibilities, cultural norms, or lack of financial support. This not only stops them from achieving their goals but also provides a better and improved way of living, not just for their families but also for the entire communities.

Also Read: STEM education for girls

Key Barriers to Girls’ Education in India

1. Poverty and economic constraints

For many families living in poverty, sending children to school is a financial burden. Often, boys are prioritised for education while girls are kept at home to help with chores. Poverty becomes one of the biggest problems of girl child education in India, as it directly influences whether a girl is allowed to continue her studies or not.

2. Early marriage and adolescent pregnancy

According to reports, about 27 percent of girls in India are still married before the age of 18. Early marriage often leads to adolescent pregnancy, which not only ends a girl’s education but also puts her health and future at risk. Once married, girls are expected to manage households, making it nearly impossible for them to return to school.

3. Safety concerns, lack of safe transportation, and gender-based violence

Safety is a pressing concern for families. Long distances to schools, lack of secure transportation, and incidents of gender-based violence create fear and hesitation among parents. These issues discourage many families from sending their daughters to school regularly.

4. Poor school infrastructure, lack of toilets, sanitary facilities, and female-friendly spaces

The absence of clean and separate toilets is another major barrier. In rural areas, many schools lack basic infrastructure, including safe drinking water and private spaces for girls. This discourages attendance, particularly during adolescence, and reflects one of the very practical problems faced by girl children in India.

5. Menstruation stigma and its impact on attendance

Menstruation continues to be surrounded by stigma and shame. Many girls miss several days of school every month because of the lack of sanitary facilities and the taboo surrounding the subject. Over time, this gap adds up and leads to dropouts, showing how menstruation can directly impact education.

6. Cultural norms, gender stereotypes, and household responsibilities

Cultural expectations and stereotypes still hold back girls. In many communities, girls are expected to cook, clean, and look after siblings instead of going to school. This mindset sees education as unnecessary for girls and reinforces gender inequality.

7. Shortage of female teachers and lack of role models

Having female teachers in schools is important. They provide comfort, guidance, and role models for young girls. Unfortunately, many rural schools face a shortage of female teachers, which makes parents hesitant to send their daughters to school and reduces the motivation for girls to continue their education.

8. Child labour and dropout due to familial or economic pressures

Another challenge is child labour. Families struggling financially often push their daughters into work, whether at home or outside, to contribute to the household income. This takes them away from classrooms permanently, cutting off their chance at a brighter future.

Also Read: Types of Social Barriers That Prevent Girls from Getting an Education

Strategies to Drive Lasting Change

1. Improving school infrastructure and menstrual hygiene management

Building better schools with proper sanitation, separate toilets, and menstrual hygiene management facilities can make a huge difference. When girls feel comfortable and safe in schools, they are more likely to stay and complete their education.

2. Engaging the community and families to shift mindsets on girls’ education

Change begins at home and within communities. Families must be encouraged to see the value of girls' education in India. Awareness campaigns, local champions, and community-led initiatives can help shift age-old mindsets that prevent girls from learning.

3. Empowering through female role models and mentors

When girls see women role models who have broken barriers and succeeded, they are inspired to dream bigger. Female mentors and teachers can play an essential role in encouraging girls to stay in school and pursue careers.

4. Ensuring safe commute and school environments

Reliable and safe transportation options, secure school premises, and strict measures against harassment are critical. When parents know their daughters are safe, they are more willing to send them to school every day.

5. Strengthening the enforcement of laws on child marriage, labour, and education rights

India already has laws that prohibit child marriage and child labor and ensure the right to education. However, stricter enforcement is needed. Communities must be made aware of these laws, and violations should be dealt with firmly to protect girls’ futures.

Also Read: Importance of Girl Child Education in India

CRY India’s Efforts to Overcome Girl Child Education Challenges

At CRY India, we believe that every girl deserves the right to learn, to play, and to live with dignity. Our work focuses on tackling the problems faced by girl children in India by addressing both immediate barriers and long-term change.

We work with schools to improve infrastructure, ensuring clean toilets, safe classrooms, and access to menstrual hygiene management. We engage with parents and community leaders to create awareness about the problems of women's education and the importance of giving girls equal opportunities.

By creating safe learning environments, CRY India also ensures that girls have access to teachers, resources, and mentors who can inspire them. We support programmes that prevent child marriage and child labour, ensuring that girls are not pushed into responsibilities too early.

Most importantly, we work to change mindsets. We believe that when families and communities start valuing girls’ education, real change begins. Through partnerships, advocacy, and grassroots efforts, CRY India is making sure that girl child education in India is not a privilege but a right for every girl.

When you support CRY India, you become part of this change. You help us bring girls back to school, keep them safe, and give them the chance to dream beyond the barriers that hold them back.

FAQs

How do cultural norms and household responsibilities hinder girls’ education?

Cultural expectations often place household chores and sibling care on girls, leaving them little time for schooling. Many families believe a girl’s role is at home, not in classrooms.

How does poverty affect girls’ ability to access education?

Poverty forces families to make tough choices. Limited resources often go towards educating boys, while girls are kept at home or sent to work to support the household.

How do safety concerns and lack of infrastructure impact girls’ schooling?

When schools lack toilets, safe buildings, or proper transportation, parents fear for their daughters’ safety. This makes them reluctant to send girls to school regularly.

Why is menstruation a barrier to girls attending school?

Due to the stigma around menstruation and the lack of proper sanitary facilities in schools, many girls stay at home during their periods. This leads to irregular attendance and, eventually, dropouts.