My mother’s story inspires me to ensure education for every girl in Nigeria — Assembly

24-year-old Halima Yusuf reflects on how her mother’s story of being taken out of school inspired her to pursue her education and is the reflection of the realities of many girls in Nigeria today. When girls are excluded from decision-making tables where their lives are shaped, they suffer. Halima outlines the needs of schoolgirls in this piece expanded from her address to Nigerian policymakers at a Malala Fund Nigeria organised an International Day of the Girl event in Abuja last week.

Growing up, my mother reminded us how lucky we were to receive an education. We thought she was just saying that to pressure us to do well in school, but we didn't notice the pain in her eyes whenever she said that until we grew older.

My mother had to drop out of school after primary education due to circumstances beyond her control.

Her father was a soldier who died in battle and his gratuity was paid to his brother. The family had a meeting and discussed how to distribute the money (by his family I mean the men in the family), my grandmother was not invited to that meeting, and there was no seat for her at that table.

Imagine being a mother of 5 children with another one on the way, then your husband dies and his brothers take away everything he has left, for themselves, not a penny left for you and your kids. With no support, my grandmother struggled to care for five children, so my mother was sent to live with that same uncle who received the largest share of her father's gratuity. When the issue of her education was raised, he refused to educate her, saying he could not waste his money on a girl child's education.

And that was the end of it, she lost out on getting an education just because she was a girl. Nobody sought her opinion, nobody cared about what she wanted.

“Girls are excluded from decision-making tables where their lives are shaped, especially when it comes to the issue of education because people don't see it as a priority. It's surprising to see that in this day and age, there are a lot of people who still don't see the importance of girl child education. We must change this.“ (Photo credit: Victor Audu)

This story may seem old, but it's still happening. This is the situation of many girls, especially in northern Nigeria. Girls are excluded from decision-making tables where their lives are shaped, especially when it comes to the issue of education because people don't see it as a priority. It's surprising to see that in this day and age, there are a lot of people who still don't see the importance of girl child education. We must change this.

“Girls must have a seat at the table when education policies — that affect our lives — are discussed. And not just any seat, but we must be at the center where it’ll be hard to ignore us. ”

— Halima Yusuf

In Nigeria, girls face numerous obstacles to education, from family skepticism to poverty. This is why gender-responsive policies can address these challenges.

One of the primary reasons girls drop out of school prematurely or marry early is that school policies often fail to provide a conducive and comfortable learning environment. Implementing gender-responsive policies is crucial as it helps retain girls in school and increases enrollment. These policies will make schools more inclusive, safe, and comfortable for girls, promoting curricula that challenge stereotypes and counter harmful gender norms hindering girl child education.

My mum's story and the experiences I had growing up seeing young girls not allowed to get a quality education and being married off instead, the most traumatic was my primary school classmate named Hafsat who was pulled out of school when we were in primary 3 to get married, even though she was a bit older than us, she was still just a child. Over the years I saw more of this happening to other young girls I know, this is what made me passionate about advocating for girl's education.

Gender-responsive schools will foster an environment where girls enjoy learning and want to stay in school. This approach addresses the unique needs and challenges girls face, ensuring equal opportunities for academic success and empowerment.

Girls must have a seat at the table when education policies — that affect our lives — are discussed. And not just any seat, but we must be at the center where it’ll be hard to ignore us.