Female education assumes a great significance. It is because of the simple reason that without education women cannot liberate themselves from the yoke of tradition which holds that the place of women is the house.

13 July 2025

Female Education

Female education suffers at the hands of traditionalists who prefer to see women confined to their houses. In most parts of the world, the societies are man-dominated. In such societies, the social role of women is discouraged and neglected. All important decisions are taken by men and they hold key positions. They are the rulers, soldiers, sailors, executives, and businessmen. Woman have to play a secondary role in such systems. Therefore, female education has been discouraged on the plea that it will serve no useful purpose. It will only be a waste of time and money according to traditionalists. Some of them even feared that if their girls were educated it would be difficult to get grooms. Some orthodox parents viewed educated brides with suspicion and fear that they would defy the traditions. Therefore, there is no wonder that female education is at low ebb in the world, especially in developing countries like India.
 
Modern women are bold enough to demand equal status with men in the society. Their right to equality has also been accepted. But it makes female education necessary. Until and unless women are educated they cannot rise above their present level. There is no point in arguing that women are inferior to men in mental faculties. Many of them have already proved that they are far superior than their male counterparts in the areas like learning, decision-making and management. There is scarcely any field in which women have not entered. More and more women have started to step out of their houses to work in various fields of human activities. They make significant contributions in their respective fields.
 
In India also, female education has gained momentum. It is ironical that it lagged behind in the past in this country despite our presiding deity of learning is Goddess Saraswati, herself a woman. Then why women are discouraged to worship this Goddess? Hindu mythology accords a place of pride to women. For example, the Hindu Goddess of wealth is Lakshmi. Yet Indian women are far behind men in as far as education is concerned.
 
Why female education a must? Female education is a must for the progress of this country. Women constitute about half of the country’s population. If they are kept in the houses, the country will lose the contributions of this major section for its progress. The only way to bring them to the mainstream of life is to educate them.
 
Education is necessary not only for women who are working in offices or some scientific or social projects but also for housewives. It helps them in fulfilling their womanhood. They will perform their traditional roles as a daughter, wife and mother, in a better way. Education makes a woman conscious of her duties towards her parents, husband and in-laws. As an educated mother, she would take proper care in her children’s health and mental development. Mothers play a vital role in moulding the characters of children. Therefore, it can be said that the destiny of the world lies in the hands of educated mothers.
 
Female education is essential for the welfare of the society and progress of the nation.

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