EDUCATION

Access to education for girls and young women is essential to their future well-being and their communities' progress. It also benefits their children, since educated women are less likely to die in childbirth and more likely to ensure that their children attend school.

In spite of almost universal awareness of these facts, many things challenge universal education. Among these are unaffordable school fees, unavailability of schools or sufficient teachers for them, lack of sanitary facilities in the schools, the need to keep children home to help with earning income and cultural or social factors discouraging girls' attendance.

For additional information, read the WOW! issue briefs "Muslim Women and Social Justice" and "Marriage: For Adults Only."