Gita Gharti Magar

Female education is an important pre-requisite for development. It may surprise you that while Harvard was established in 1636, females weren't going to college in equal number as that of males up until the 1980s. However, women are still lagging behind in developing countries like Nepal. Population of Nepal is approximately 27 million of which approximately 12 million are men and 13 million are women according to 2011 census. This census clearly shows that females constitute more portion of the population than males. Thus, female education is even more necessary in Nepal. 

Female education was started in Nepal during the rule of Rana Prime Minister, Padma Shumsher. He established Padma Kanya School at Dillibazar, Padmodaya High School at Putalisadak and Padma Kanya Mandir at Chhetrapati which triggered female education in Nepal during his rule of three years (2002-2005 B.S.). At present, the female literacy rate has grown upto 44.5%. for boosting the development of the country, the condition of women must be improved. 

Napoleon once said,"Give me good mothers, I'll give you a good nation". Women are the mothers of the future generations. If women are educated, the future generation is also educated. Educated mothers teach their children good values and enables them to become responsible citizens of tomorrow. Moreover, the living standard of people increases by female education as educated women get employment opportunities and they can also contribute in supporting their family financially. This way, they no longer have to depend on males and the socio-economic condition of women improves. As a result, gender discrimination is controlled. Education of women can also be helpful in eradicating social evils like dowry problem, unemployment problem, sati system, etc. This way, social peace can be established.

Many INGOs and NGOs like UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP have been working with the objective to educate females and uplift the conditiion of women. For instance, The Government of Nepal has introduced "Chelibeti Programme" to uplift the standard of female education. Women like Rakshya Rana (first lady pilot of Nepal), Anuradha Koirala (CNN Hero of the Year 2010), Pushpa Basnet (CNN Hero of the Year 2012) have shown Nepal the potential and capability of Nepalese women. Howevcer, it is only through modernization, a gradual change in the psyche of society regarding female eductaion, that female education can be implemented effectively.