Globally, 129 million girls are still out of school.
That’s not just a number, it’s a lost classroom, a missed opportunity, and a future delayed.
We frequently hear the phrase, “The future is female.” It’s bold. It’s inspiring. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: the future cannot be female unless access to education is equal, consistent, and deliberate.
Education is not just about degrees. It is about intervention, mobility, leadership, and economic independence. And when girls and women are deprived of access to learning, the ripple effects are felt across families, communities, and entire economies.
If we really want a future shaped by empowered women, equal access to quality education must come first.
The Education Gap: More Than a Social Issue
According to UNESCO, 129 million girls worldwide are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age and 97 million of secondary school age. In areas affected by conflict and poverty, girls are more than twice as likely as boys to never attend school.
The World Bank estimates that limited educational opportunities for girls cost countries between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lifetime productivity and earnings. That’s not just a gender issue, that’s an economic emergency.
And yet, progress is happening.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report highlights that while more women than ever are entering higher education in numerous regions, differences remain in leadership roles, STEM careers, and board-level representation.
So, the question is no longer whether women can lead. The question is whether systems are intended to allow them to.
Education Is the Foundation of SDG 5
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality calls for the elimination of discrimination and the full participation of women in leadership and decision-making at all levels.
But SDG 5 cannot be attained without education.
When girls complete secondary education:
- Child marriage rates decline
- Maternal mortality decreases
- Household incomes rise
- Communities become more resilient
Research from UN Women shows that each additional year of schooling for girls can increase their future earnings by up to 20%. Education doesn’t just change lives, it changes generational routes.
The Job Market Is Changing And Women Must Be Included
The future of work is quickly evolving. According to the World Economic Forum, over 85 million jobs may be displaced by automation by 2025, but 97 million new roles are expected to emerge, many requiring advanced education and digital skills.
Fields like technology, cybersecurity, psychology, sustainability, and leadership development are growing and they demand extremely educated professionals.
Without equal access to higher education, women risk being left behind in the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy.
Equal access is not about fairness alone. It’s about future readiness.
Moving Beyond Enrollment: What True Equality Looks Like?
Access is just the beginning. True gender equality in education means:
- Gender balance across faculty and academic leadership
- Equal representation on boards and governance bodies
- Fair staffing policies
- Inclusive admissions and scholarship opportunities
- Protection against discrimination based on gender identity
It also means creating learning environments where no individual feels excluded, overlooked, or disadvantaged because of who they are.
Gender equality is not achieved by just admitting more women. It is achieved by building structures that allow them to thrive, lead, and influence.
Education with Purpose
At East Bridge University (EBU), gender equality is not treated as a marketing slogan. It is embedded in institutional practice.
Aligned with SDG 5: Gender Equality, EBU actively promotes gender balance across:
- Faculty appointments
- Board membership
- Administrative leadership
- Student demographics
The goal is clear: to safeguard that no individual is excepted or disadvantaged due to gender identity.
EBU recognises that being a university in today’s world needs more than delivering degree programmes. It needs to contribute to worldwide progress. Through inclusive academic policies, leadership representation, and student support systems, EBU positions itself as a thought leader in advancing equitable education frameworks.
The institution understands that trustworthiness in education is not measured solely by accreditation or programme offerings but by impact.
Why Equal Access Benefits Everyone?
Gender equality in education does not benefit women alone. It benefits:
- Employers who gain access to diverse talent pools
- Governments seeking economic growth
- Organisations building inclusive leadership teams
- Communities striving for social stability
A McKinsey Global Institute report suggests that advancing gender equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. That level of impact is transformative.
When women are educated and empowered, entire societies move forward.
The Psychological Impact of Educational Access
Beyond economics and policy, there is a human dimension. Education builds confidence. It builds voice. It builds decision-making power.
When women are educated, they are more likely to participate in civic processes, advocate for their rights, and support the education of the next generation.
The cycle of empowerment starts in classrooms physical or virtual. And in a digital era where online learning removes geographic barriers, institutions have an even greater responsibility to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
The Responsibility of Modern Universities
Universities today are not just knowledge benefactors. They are ecosystem builders. They shape leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. To claim relevance in the 21st century, institutions must:
- Embed gender equity into governance
- Track and report representation metrics
- Support flexible learning pathways
- Encourage women in emerging fields
East Bridge University embraces this broader role. By aligning with worldwide sustainability goals and fostering inclusive academic environments, it pursues to influence not only individual careers but systemic progress.
The future is not about creating opportunity for a few. It is about removing barriers for all.
A Future Built on Equal Access
The phrase “The future is female” carries hope. But hope must be supported by policy, practice, and access. Equal access to education is not optional. It is foundational.
- If 129 million girls remain out of school, the future remains unsatisfactory.
- If leadership tables lack gender balance, the future remains imperfect.
- If institutions fail to reflect the diversity of the world they serve, progress remains inadequate.
The future can be female but only if access is equal. Only if systems are inclusive. Only if education is preserved as a right not a privilege. At East Bridge University, the commitment to SDG 5 is not symbolic. It is operational. It is measurable. And it is continuing. Because sustainable development starts in classrooms. And equality starts with access. If we really believe in a future shaped by empowered women, the next step is clear: invest in inclusive education, support equitable policies, and build institutions that reflect the world we want to create.
The future is not predetermined. It is educated into existence.
Written By : Christina B
