Shun backward cultural practices and educate the Somali girl child

Northern Kenya which in largely inhabited by people of Somali origin, educating a girl is like touching a live electric wire, there is a Somali saying which goes by ‘‘ Gabar ama Gunti rageed ama God hakajirto” literally meaning a girl should either be married or in the grave. It’s this saying I think that encouraged most Somali parent not to educate girl child unlike boys.

Boys are encouraged to enroll to learning institution, because they believe, boys outdo girls in education and what they are best to do is helping their mothers to do house chores. Many Girls are at home doing domestic work and their brothers are busy studying, I spoke to one of them and she said she badly needs education.

Zamzam 19, said she don’t feel comfortable staying at home cooking, washing utensils and what have you. Her brothers are all in high school shaping up their future. “Education is the only tool to eradicate poverty and ignorance.” Said Zamzam.

Traditionally, when a woman gives birth to a baby girl then all will not be well as they consider to be burden because they fear the embarrassment and the problems they associate girls will bring. And when a boy is born ululation and blowing horns will rent the air, even if you are far you know that a ‘He’ has joined league. When he grows up, he will tend animals and also enroll Islamic School then later a primary school where his journey will kick off from, the rest is history.

Things are absolutely different with the ‘She’ character at most instances she may undergo FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), doing house works and eventually ending up being married by a man who is the same age with her father or even at worse older. The million dollar question, demanding million answer is, would she be a house girl?

Thanks to free education. It opened eyes for Somali people though still the number of girls in schools is worrying compared to that of boys. The few girls who are lucky to go through education will drop out of school after finishing primary education. She only have two options here, parents they ‘assume’ their daughter is equipped to face the challenges in life by just finishing class eight. No she is not.

Either she will stay at home ‘helping’ her mother or get married at young age.

Families who are less fortunate marry off their daughters who were either forced to drop out of school or never set foot in a school, so that at least they get some good bucks from the man marrying their daughter.

Islamically, Muslim women have rights to get education both secular and Islamic. But because of adherence to bad culture has resulted marrying off Girl child and consider education as a non-issue.

“Education is important and it will equip you with personal skills and taking care of your children” Said Hodhan Abdikadir a public Health Officer based in Eastleigh Nairobi. She added that parents should give their girl child right to education.

Sudi 19, a candidate at Pumwani Girls who will sit for her K.C.S.E Exams this year said “Ignorance is darkness, I urge parents to educate girls just like Boys”.

Ignorance is one factor that can be attributed by not educating Girls because most parents are nomads and what they consider as education is how to milk and how to take care of animals.

Some parents will blankly tell you that enrolling girl to learning institution will only make her worse in terms of morality and may even end up converting to other faiths, thus not seeing education as an investment that will pay off in the future.

Poverty is another ulcer as most people try hard to put food on the table, leave alone education. Basic needs such as quality health care, water and education to some people are a luxury.

Picture this, a family consisting seven children where the bread winner who is the father earns just a peanut salary. He has to put food on the table and pay medical bills and school fees, it just seems unachievable.

This forces many Girls to drop out of school eventually getting married to men who are not of their choice.

Brigham Young Said “You educate a man, you educate a man, you educate a Woman, and you educate a generation”. Girls outshine boys in National Examinations but to some people it just does not make sense. Sahara Farah, who sat for her K.C.S.E (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) 2013, was the top Girl in Garissa after scoring 78.891. She was closely followed by Abdullahi Abdiaziz with 78.827.

“It is very challenging when it comes to the education of girls in the Northern Region, because you are expected to do house chores and at the same time study, which is hard to balance” Said the Joyous Sahara.

Not only Sahara but there are other girls who outdo boys in Academics despite challenges they still produce sterling performances. The gender disparity remain wanting, in 2014, the number of Girls in school were not comparable to that of boys in the three Counties, that is Wajir leading the way with 35%, Mandera 33% and Garissa 34%.

Educating Girls will enable them get the tools in life, Express themselves, and be part in developing the society. We want to see female teachers, Doctors, Entrepreneurs and even those who will act against cultural malpractices and educate Girl child.