Educating women and girls in growing countries is essential, and has numerous benefits for both the culture and the society, leading to a higher quality of life and more equity. Women that are educated are much more likely to have a healthier family, and also higher likelihood of child survival. It is proven that mothers that have more education, are more likely to vaccinate their children and provide other healthcare, which leads to healthier children who are more resistant to diseases found in many developing countries. The morality of children under the age of 5, gets cut down in half, and from 1970-2009, over 4 million children were saved from this (Boseley). Educating girls, leads to mothers who care about their families health, and also the healthcare system, improving hygiene, nutrition, and family wellbeing. Also, educating girls leads to delay in child marriage. Unfortunately, in many developing countries, child marriage is legal. To be exact, in 2016, over 117 developing and developed countries legalized child marriage. (Pew Research Center). What this leads to many times is abuse in the family, and also a very unethical practice. The family is much more unstable, and it negatively impacts the girl in most cases. However, education can fix this. It is found that girls with secondary education marry 4+ years later on average, leading to much more stable homes for families, and also better health for both the girl, and the children (Mertens). But, women that are educated, also have a great impact on the economy around them. More schooling, boosts a woman’s lifetime earnings by 10-20%, which is a significant amount, especially in developing countries where there is less diversification of labor. Globally, there is a loss of 30 trillion dollars, because of the fact that there is a gap in gender education (Abbasi). This can be fixed with more education. Along with that, the ability to earn, means the ability to provide. Cycles of poverty can be broken, if the woman has the means to make money, and change the trajectory of her life, due to education. Furthermore, there are many societal and cultural benefits to educating women. Women who are educated are much more likely to engage in political, economic, and community leadership, challenging the traditional roles that men typically take on, and making a large impact on their community. Along with that, women can help to challenge dangerous norms which are prevalent in so many countries. Child marriage, for example, can be stopped with the help of women, and also female genitalia mutation, which is a very common, but unethical practice, in developing countries, can be stopped if girls are able to advocate for themselves with the right education (Their World). Educated women also make an impact on public health, and social stability. Educated girls have a much lower chance to have unplanned pregnancies, less maternal deaths, and also infants who are in better health (UNICEF). This leads to a generally healthier public, with better quality of life, and familial stability. With more opportunities for working, better decision making and critical thinking abilities, and improved access to resources, education for women all helps with societal stability. Below are some policies and legislation that are helping educating girls:
SDG‑5: Global commitment to gender equality
Aims to end discrimination, child marriage, FGM; ensure women’s rights to education, health, property, leadership, and technology access by 2030
UNESCO puberty education guidelines (2014)
Mandate puberty/hygiene education in schools, improve sanitation infrastructure, reducecdropout rates linked to menstruation China’s nine‑year compulsory education policy Universal primary and junior secondary schooling (1991–2007) increased enrolment, including among girls, narrowing gender gaps. Note: Bilingual education policies in Tibet may undermine cultural-linguistic access for Tibetan girls.
India’s Ladli Laxmi Yojana
A cash‑incentive scheme from birth to age 21 rewarding girls (especially in rural/Poor families) for education and delaying early marriage
Rwanda’s gender‑sensitive policies
Girls’ Education Task Force (2004), national gender‑equity education policies ensuring 50% female university seats and support systems for girls
Gender budgeting (e.g., Uganda, Rwanda, Morocco)
Governments dedicate part of budget analysis to assess educational spending impacts on girls vs boys, improving resource allocation
Incheon Declaration / Education 2030 framework
Signed in 2015: countries pledge 12 years free, quality education (9 compulsory) and gender‐equitable outcomes by 2030
These policies and legislation help women internationally have a more equitable experience in education, and an opportunity at a more fruitful life. There is still much more work that can be done in a plethora of countries, but the world is starting. Here are some recommendations, in a tibetan context, for creating a more equitable educational environment for girls, from numerous sources:
– Prioritize full inclusion of girls in compulsory education through scholarships, uniforms, and school supply support (modeled on China’s and Ladli Laxmi initiatives).
– Ensure culturally-appropriate curricula: mother-tongue bilingual education to preserve Tibetan identity while improving comprehension.
– Integrate puberty, hygiene & health education, with female-friendly sanitation, to reduce dropout and support girls’ well‑being.
– Advocate for gender-responsive budgeting within Tibetan education foundations or local government to secure equitable funding.
– Align programs with SDG‑5 and Education 2030 to leverage international frameworks and attract donor support
– To summarize, investing in the education of girls, especially in developing countries, makes an enormous impact. Healthier, wealthier families, stranger communities, and women who will become leaders and shape future generations. Governments must address the issue of the lack of
education, and create policies, like the ones highlighted here, to create a stronger, more equitable future.
Works Cited:
“Educating Young Women Is the Climate Fix No One Is Talking About.” WIRED, Apr. 2021.
“Female Education.” Wikipedia, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_education.
“Girls’ Education.” UNICEF, https://www.unicef.org/education/girls-education.
“Ladli Laxmi Yojana.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladli_Laxmi_Yojana.
Boseley, Sarah. “Save Children’s Lives – Educate Women.” The Guardian, 16 Sept. 2010,
https://www.theguardian.com/society/sarah-boseley-global-health/2010/sep/16/women-education-child-mortality.
Columbia University. “Educated Girls Lead to Empowered Societies.” State of the Planet, 24
Sept. 2010,
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2010/09/24/educated-girls-lead-to-empowered-societies/.
Malala Fund. “Why Girls’ Education.” Malala.org, https://malala.org/girls-education.
MP Info Dept. “Ladli Laxmi Yojana: Revolutionary Step towards Empowerment.” Directorate of
Public Relations, Madhya Pradesh, 11 Oct. 2024, https://ladlilaxmi.mp.gov.in.
Nakate, Vanessa. “How Educating Girls Will Help Combat the Climate Crisis.” Time, 14 Apr.
2021, https://time.com/5953377/educating-girls-climate-crisis/.
RenewBuy. “Ladli Laxmi Yojana: Benefits & Eligibility.” RenewBuy.com,
https://www.renewbuy.com/articles/insurance-news/ladli-laxmi-yojana.
Tata AIA. “Ladli Laxmi Yojana Scheme: Goals, Benefits & Eligibility.” TataAIA.com,
https://www.tataaia.com/blogs/life-insurance/ladli-laxmi-yojana-scheme.html.
UMANG. “Ladli Laxmi Yojana.” UMANG.gov.in,
https://web.umang.gov.in/landing/department/ladli-laxmi-yojana.html.
UNGEI. “Why Educating Girls Is the Answer to Sustainable Development.” ungei.org,
https://www.ungei.org/news/why-educating-girls-answer-sustainable-development.
World Bank. “Girls’ Education Overview.” World Bank,
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducation/overview.
About Samay Sikri
Samay Sikri is a senior in California’s Bay Area and currently serves as Student Body President at his high school. With a strong academic focus in political science, policy, and business, Samay is passionate about pursuing a legal career dedicated to juvenile justice and children’s rights—both in the U.S. and around the world.
In the summer of 2023, he worked as a marketing intern with TCEF and now combines those skills with policy research—examining how government decisions impact children’s lives. His work includes research into education policy, refugee rights, and rural access to schooling, alongside advocacy efforts aimed at shaping more equitable systems.
Samay was introduced to the Tibetan Children’s Education Foundation (TCEF) through Breathe Los Gatos and has a personal connection to its mission—his father helped support a school in Ladakh, India, which TCEF helps support as well. Inspired by that legacy, Samay values travel and exploring different cultures, fueling his drive to help preserve culture and promote global understanding.
Motivated by empathy and purpose, Samay is committed to using education, policy, and advocacy to create lasting change for children in underserved communities.
