UNICEF, with operations in 192 countries and territories, has intensified its investments in girls’ education, viewing it as a transformative force for communities and economies worldwide. In a recent report, the organization emphasized that educated girls are more likely to marry later, lead healthier lives, and participate in shaping their futures, while also contributing to economic stability and societal resilience. UNICEF states that educated girls not only enhance family well-being but also strengthen economies, reduce inequality, and contribute to peaceful societies where both men and women can achieve their potential.

Highlighting the broader impacts, UNICEF notes that investments in girls’ secondary education significantly boost lifetime earnings, elevate national growth rates, and reduce child marriage, child and maternal mortality, and child stunting. However, despite these benefits, global gender disparities persist, with 129 million girls still out of school globally, including 32 million at the primary level, 30 million at the lower secondary level, and 67 million at the upper secondary level. Conflict amplifies these challenges, as girls in conflict-affected regions are twice as likely to be out of school compared to those in stable areas. Only 49% of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education, with this figure decreasing further in secondary education.

The reasons for these gaps are complex and vary by region, encompassing barriers like poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence. In many communities, families prioritize boys’ education over girls’, and schools often lack the facilities to meet girls’ hygiene and safety needs. UNICEF’s approach includes creating gender-equitable education systems that encourage both girls and boys to develop life skills, such as critical thinking and negotiation, which are vital for personal and economic success. By addressing gender norms, UNICEF hopes to reduce school-related gender-based violence and practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.

UNICEF underscores the benefits of gender-equitable education for boys as well, as it helps combat negative masculinity norms that lead to disengagement from school, child labor, and vulnerability to gang violence or armed group recruitment. By investing in girls’ secondary education and supporting the most disadvantaged girls from pre-primary through primary education, UNICEF aims to lay the groundwork for them to complete their schooling and gain skills essential for life and work.

To achieve these goals, UNICEF works to dismantle harmful gender norms, support governments in gender-responsive budgeting, remove stereotypes from curricula, and promote policies that prioritize gender equality. Social protection measures, like cash transfers, are also advocated to support girls’ retention and transition through school, helping foster inclusive educational environments that enable both girls and boys to thrive.