By: June Shimuoshili
As an advocate who has worked with girls and young people, I have learned that dropping out of school is rarely about a girl simply deciding that she no longer wants an education.
Behind one empty desk can be a pregnancy. Behind another can be poverty. Another girl may be at home because there is no money for transport, school requirements or sanitary products. In some rural communities, girls may also be expected to help their families with farming and household responsibilities, particularly during difficult seasons.
Then there is menstruation.
For some girls, having their period can mean missing several days of school because they cannot afford menstrual products or do not have access to adequate facilities. Those missed days accumulate. Eventually, falling behind can become another reason to leave school altogether.
If Namibia is serious about supporting girls’ education, we need to stop treating the classroom as the only part of the solution.
Parents need to understand that educating a daughter is not a luxury. Traditional authorities need to become stronger advocates for girls remaining in school. Ministries must work together because education, health, poverty, agriculture, social protection and gender equality are all connected to whether a girl remains in school.
And we need to listen to girls themselves.
A girl who wants to become a doctor, engineer, teacher, farmer, entrepreneur or athlete needs more than encouragement. She needs an environment that makes that dream possible.
Every girl who remains in school represents a family with greater possibilities and a country with greater potential.
Namibia cannot afford to educate boys for the future while asking girls to sacrifice theirs.
