HEALTH EDUCATION FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN John Vulule Kenya Medical Research Institute

Health education WHO defines health education as “any combination of learning experiences designed to help individuals and communities improve their health, by increasing their knowledge or influencing their attitudes”

Education Is central to a country’s well-being and economic development… “When a country educates its citizens (women as well as men), economic productivity rises, maternal and infant mortality rates fall, fertility rates decline, and the health and educational prospects of the next generation are improved” (Lopez-Claros et al, 2007). However, our cultural values and the resulting marginalization and discrimination of the women folk in education has persisted to this day Many SSA countries have committed to address the gender gap in education and employment

Women’s health education is intricately linked to the education of girls The need to educate girls becomes even more crucial when looking at health Women’s education is associated with better maternal, child and family health, and child survival. As caregivers, education empowers women to seek appropriate health care services for themselves and their families Education enables girls and women understand and appreciate health education messaging Educated women tend to be healthier, earn more income, have fewer children, and provide better health care and education to their own children, all of which can lift households out of poverty

Women and health research Gender bias, women not involved in research often results in women’s health issues being neglected. It is now unethical not to include women in research Despite strides made in education, the gender gap in science and even health research persists “Just 30% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s researchers are women. While a growing number of women are enrolling in university, many opt out at the highest levels required for a research career” UNESCO – reasons varied

The challenges in SSA In Africa girls are still less likely than boys to enroll and remain in school In 47 out of 54 African countries, girls have less than a 50% chance of going to secondary school At school/colleges, girls continue to face discrimination and abuse and stereotypes which threaten to undermine the potentially transformative power of the education they receive - PLAN INTL (even sexual harassment) Girls normally socialized towards gender roles resonating with kitchens, family/childcare

Challenges Contd Disadvantages due to negative gender norms, poverty and harmful cultural practices – early marriages, fgm etc. The few female role models in science are disproportionately placed such that you can find whole communities without women scientists. Perceptions ingrained early – science is difficult and for boys Cost vs competing issues most science courses costly --- why make a doctor for another community Several public education systems in Africa lack strategy of identifying potential talent/interest in science amongst girls plus lack infrastructure to support the same. Few science teachers in schools

Encouraging more women into science and research – policy issues The big and complex barriers to educating girls in SSA must be addressed: Poverty, cultural issues e.g. early marriages, discrimination There should be a deliberate effort to encourage high school girls to take calculus, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, and engineering classes Get more girls Interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at college level and pursue the same to highest levels Teach all students about stereotype threat and promote a growth- mindset environment Help girls recognize their career-relevant skills Talk of free education for all etc

Let us all join hands in enacting policies that purposefully embrace girl and woman health education across the continent Investing in the girl child and woman health education is investing in our growth.