Overcoming barriers: Gender inequality and educational initiatives for refugee girls
Date
2025
Authors
Van der Heide, Kelly
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Volume Title
Publisher
University Of Victoria
Abstract
Refugee girls are one of the most marginalized groups in the world when it comes to school participation (Carvalho 2022, 140). Currently, there are 43.4 million refugees worldwide, with 49% being women and girls, and an estimated 40% being children (UNHCR 2024, 18; Storen 2024, 1). Over half of refugee children, however, do not attend school (Storen 2024, 1). Refugee girls face unique and heightened barriers to education compared to boys, including gender roles, gender-based violence, early marriage, menstruation and societal attitudes disregarding the importance of education for girls. Education, however, is crucial for building self-confidence and empowering refugees to become agents of their own development. This study examines five case studies conducted in refugee camps in Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, and Kenya, as well as reports from UNHCR and UNICEF. Key findings show that refugee girls are significantly less likely to attend secondary school than boys. Addressing these barriers is critical to ensuring equal access to education and opportunities for refugee girls.
Description
Keywords
displacement, refugee, education, girls, women, human rights