Educate a woman, educate a nation

WHAT IS EDUCATION?
Education is the imparting and acquiring of knowledge through and learning especially at a school or similar institution – Encarta Dictionary 2009 Edition.
To educate is to bring up and instruct; to teach; to train.
QUOTE
“If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family (nation) – Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey (1875 – 1927)
This quote/proverb was/is to convince African parents who were/are more willing to allow their male children to attend schools than their daughters, due to either of
• Child marriage
• Parents see education as waste (more education, more dowry)
• Poverty and illiteracy
The saying makes its points by unqualified exaggeration to capture attention
FOR THE QUOTE
Women in general are the newborn child’s primary care givers in most societies, be it the mum, older sister, grandma or nanny. They watch over the child for the first 3 or more years of the child. During these early years, words and unspoken messages determine/affect the child’s future.A child that is surrounded by the warm care givers will most likely spread that love in the future as he grows.
The story of Moses in the Bible exemplifies the importance of women in a child’s life. Moses’ mum, sister and pharaoh’s daughter made great impact in his life. Exodus 2:1-10. Paul also testifies of Timothy’s mum and grandma. II Timothy 1:5.
Some great leaders have also pointed success to the female gender.
“Give me good mothers and I will give you a great nation” – Napoleon.
“All I am I owe to my mother… I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her” – George Washington (1732 – 1799) US first president.
“Educate your women first and leave them to themselves, then they will tell you what reforms are needed” – Indian Swami Vivekananda
1. Today’s girl child will be the mother of tomorrow. As a mother she can give her child a sound nursing and capable upbringing
2. A woman has the maximum impact on the social and economic decisions making in the family
3. At micro level, educated woman help in making the whole family understand the values and importance of education.
4. At macro level, educated women add to the social and economic development of the nation
5. Women affect the society greatest since women are the ones raising the children while the man spends time working or in worse situations drinking.
6. Women have better entrepreneur skills. They make up over 70% of the unorganized economy of the nation.
Girls education is like sowing seed which gives rise to green, cheerful and full grown family plant.Education is valuable, whether formal or informal, and women should have equal access.
QUESTION THE QUOTE
The quote makes its point by unqualified exaggeration to capture our attention.
1. This line of thinking reduces women and girls’ values to that of reproducers of the nation.
2. Women/girls should be educated for the simple reason that they are people not for the nations benefit.
3. The role education plays in the life of women should not be seen only from the light of how the nation benefits.
Would we educate a woman because the nation needs her? If the nation fails, is it the women who have failed? Will educating women and leaving men out keep the nation afloat as we need it?
In summary, if you educate a man you educate an individual, if you educate a woman you educate an individual and because all individuals are important, why would you leave anyone out?
See you later.
Amoscp
Follow on twitter @amoscpand on facebookSheikh Socrates Ibn Amos
NB: this was an intended speech to be read at a seminar at Kingdom RecoveyChristain Center (KRCC) Alaba Center on October 20, 2012 by the KRCC Okokomaiko press team.
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