Keeping girls in the picture

When a girl's education is cut short, the impact can be felt for generations. It leaves a vital gap in their community, their country and the world.

1.6 billion. 

That’s the number of learners who were impacted by the COVID-19 school closures in more than 190 countries around the world. While school has resumed since, UNESCO estimated that some 24 million children and young people, including more than 11 million girls and young women were at risk of dropping out of school. This alarming number not only threatens decades of progress made towards gender equality, but also puts girls around the world at risk of adolescent pregnancy, early and forced marriage, and violence. For many girls, school is more than a window into a better future. It’s a lifeline. 

Currently, 122 million girls are out of school. Join UNESCO in ensuring #LearningNeverStops so that every girl continues learning and returns to school. After reaching over 400 million people globally, the Keeping girls in the picture campaign has been rolled out in national contexts, reaching deep into communities through local advocacy, the mobilization of youth networks and community radios and capacity building.

We must take this opportunity to build back equal. And it starts NOW! How will you ensure #LearningNeverStops? Join us.

Girls' education is our future

When a girl's education is cut short, the impact can be felt for generations. It leaves a vital gap in their community, their country and the world.

  • Just one more year of school can increase a girls' earnings, when she is an adult, by up to 20%
  • 10% fewer girls under 17 would become pregnant in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia if they all had a primary education
  • Some countries lose more than US$ 1 billion a year by failing to educatte girls to the same level as boys

Girls' education is one of the most powerful investments we can make for our collective future. The ripple effect of positive change occurs when a girl gets an education is amazing. It strengthens economies, reduces inequality and creates more opportunities for everyone to succeed.

Girls back to school

Join the campaign to ensure #LearningNeverStops

Everyone can play a role in supporting girls’ education – whether you’re a teacher, parent, student, journalist, policymaker, or simply a concerned citizen. Here’s how you can join the campaign to ensure #LearningNeverStops.

More on COVID-19 and gender equality in education

Global Education Coalition members are working together to address the gender dimensions of the COVID-19 school crisis and safeguard progress made on gender equality in education in recent decades.

Publications

Building back equal: girls back to school guide
UNESCO
United Nations Children's Fund
PLAN International
United Nations Girls' Education Initiative
Malala Fund
2020
UNESCO
0000374094
Keeping girls in the picture: community radio toolkit
UNESCO
Global Education Coalition
2020
UNESCO
0000374105
Keeping girls in the picture: youth advocacy toolkit
UNESCO
Global Education Coalition
2020
UNESCO
0000374113
Addressing the gender dimensions of COVID-related school closures
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
0000373379