Topic: Access to Education for Girls
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Ashley Guynn
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Egypt position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
Egypt believes access to education for women is still a major problem facing the world today. Although there have been significant improvements within the past decades, more action still needs to be taken in areas where education for girls is limited. If women are denied access to education, they will lack the knowledge and technical skills that are necessary to enter the work force. Because they cannot work, unemployment rises. Furthermore, if women lack a good education, not only will they suffer but their children will as well. Without a basic education the women won’t be able to correctly teach certain concepts outside the school or help their children with school.
Egypt is proud to say we have come a long way in regard to education for women, in both access to education and the quality of education received. Egypt’s Ministry of Education has made efforts to increase the involvement of the community in schools, encouraging everyone to be a part of the school, men and women and boys and girls alike. The Ministry has also been making efforts in decentralizing the education system in order to strengthen local schools’ size. Egypt has improved basic education in primary schools as well as expanded access to basic education. Beyond just increasing access, significant progress has been made in increasing enrollment and closing the gender gap in basic education as well as universities. This shows how there is not only access to education but the opportunity available is also being utilized. In recent years, women’s training and career development have improved allowing many more women to be hired as professors in universities.
Egypt recognizes that some views on education for women are founded in religion and are therefore difficult to change. Although Egypt respects these beliefs, Egypt feels education should still be made more accessible through the government for those girls who want it. The number of girls enrolled in schools can be increased through the community outreaches and organizations that make girls’ education a reality, by providing scholarships and financial aid for example. These programs will also help decrease the gender gaps in schools. The organizations could be formed by the UN and sent into the state, with the agreement of the state, to aid organizations already implemented within the state. If the state did not agree to UN organizations, the state could use their own organizations. Also, the organizations should help women be increasingly hired as professors in universities in order to encourage and inspire young girls to continue and strengthen their education and knowledge.
