By: Dr. Rajkumar Singh
Skill development among girls during their school years is crucial for their overall growth, future opportunities, and societal advancement. Encouraging girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) can help bridge the gender gap in these fields. Literacy and Language Skills: Strong reading, writing, and communication skills are fundamental for all academic pursuits.
Life Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: These skills help girls navigate challenges and make informed decisions. Financial Literacy: Understanding money management, budgeting, and financial planning are essential for independence and stability. Health and Wellness: Knowledge about physical and mental health, nutrition, and self-care is vital.
Social and Emotional Skills: Empathy and Compassion: Building emotional intelligence helps in personal and professional relationships. Leadership and Teamwork: Encouraging participation in group activities and leadership roles fosters confidence and cooperation. Resilience and Adaptability: Teaching girls to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances is key to their personal development.
Technical and Vocational Skills: Digital Literacy: Proficiency in using computers, software, and the internet is increasingly important in the modern world. Vocational Training: Skills in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, or cosmetology can provide career opportunities and self-sufficiency.
Extracurricular Activities: Sports and Physical Education: These promote teamwork, discipline, and physical health. Arts and Crafts: Engaging in creative activities can enhance problem-solving skills and emotional expression.
Mentorship and Role Models: Access to Role Models: Seeing women in diverse roles can inspire girls and broaden their understanding of possible career paths. Mentorship Programs: Connecting girls with mentors can provide guidance, support, and encouragement.
Inclusive Education Environment: Gender-Sensitive Teaching: Training teachers to recognize and counteract gender biases in the classroom. Safe and Supportive Schools: Ensuring schools are safe environments where girls can learn without fear of harassment or discrimination. Thus, effective skill development for girls in schools requires a holistic approach that integrates academic learning with life skills, emotional intelligence, technical proficiency, and community support.
National and global schemes
Several governments and organizations worldwide have implemented schemes and programs specifically aimed at the skill development of girls which include:
India: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Aimed at addressing the declining child sex ratio and promoting education and empowerment of the girl child. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Provides skill training to young people, including girls, to increase employability. Special focus on encouraging girls to take up skill training. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Aims to enhance the quality of secondary education and increase the enrolment rate of girls. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: A savings scheme aimed at the parents of girl children to encourage them to save for their daughters’ education and future.
United States: TechGirls Program: A U.S. Department of State initiative that aims to empower young women from the Middle East and North Africa by providing them with the opportunity to pursue higher education and careers in technology. Girls Who Code: Aims to close the gender gap in technology by teaching girls computer science and programming skills.
United Kingdom: Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC): Funded by the UK government, this program aims to provide quality education to marginalised girls and help them transition to further education or employment.
Global Initiatives: Malala Fund: Focuses on advocating for girls’ education and providing resources and support to help girls complete their education. UNESCO’s Global Partnership for Girls’ and Women’s Education: Aims to improve the quality of education for girls and women, particularly in STEM fields. Plan International’s “Because I Am a Girl” Campaign: A global initiative to ensure girls have access to quality education and are supported in developing their skills. World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI): Aims to smooth the transition from school to productive employment for adolescent girls and young women.
Regional and Local Programs: African Girls’ Education Initiative (AGEI): Supported by UNICEF, this initiative focuses on improving educational outcomes for girls in Africa. Skilling Her for Economic Advancement (SHE): A regional program in South Asia that provides vocational training and job placement services to young women.
Corporate and Non-Profit Initiatives: Microsoft’s DigiGirlz Program: Provides high school girls with the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops. Intel® She Will Connect: A program aimed at closing the gender gap in technology by providing digital literacy training for women and girls. Cisco Networking Academy’s Women Rock-IT Program: Encourages girls and young women to consider careers in IT through events, training, and mentorship.
Benefits of skill development
Skill development for girls has profound benefits that extend across personal, economic, social, and global levels. Developing new skills helps girls build confidence and a sense of accomplishment and opens up diverse career paths, leading to greater financial independence. Life skills and education enable girls to make informed choices about their lives and futures.
Educated and skilled women contribute significantly to the labour market, boosting economic productivity. Skill development encourages girls to start their own businesses, fostering innovation and economic diversity. Women with skills and education are better positioned to secure well-paying jobs, reducing poverty at both individual and community levels.
Skill development also helps bridge the gender gap in various sectors, promoting equality. Health Improvements, educated girls are more likely to make healthier choices, benefiting their well-being and that of their families. Education and skill training delay marriages and childbearing, leading to better health outcomes for mothers and children who tend to prioritize their children’s education, leading to a more educated next generation. Girls with skills and education are more likely to take on leadership roles within their communities, driving positive change.
Empowered women contribute to social stability and cohesion, as they are more likely to participate in civic activities. Countries with higher levels of gender equality in education and workforce participation experience stronger economic growth. Educating girls contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, health improvements, and gender equality.
Educated women play crucial roles in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, contributing to global stability. Women bring unique perspectives to problem-solving and innovation, enhancing creativity and diversity in various fields. Investing in the skill development of girls yields significant returns at multiple levels, creating a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable world.
The writer is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science, B.N. Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar, India.
