LINKING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO EDUCATION AND THE QUEST TO REDUCE VULNERABILITIES

Abstract

Notwithstanding the fact that children’s right to education is a gateway to the enjoyment of many other human rights, it can be hampered and impeded in various ways. The fact that millions of children have no access to primary education signifies the looming global crisis of children’s vulnerabilities. The right to access education is in urgent need of improvement. Closely linked to the right to access education for everyone is the empowerment of women. Various studies have shown that the empowerment of women plays a crucial role in enhancing children’s right to access education. This paper intends to highlight the link between women empowerment and the increase of access to education for children. The paper begins with the explanation of the concept of children’s right to education and women empowerment. Thereafter it illustrates the negative impact of the infringement of women’s rights and the denial of education. The paper also discusses the positive impact on education and the empowerment of women in society by looking at the experiences of selected projects in different jurisdictions. An analysis on the right to education and the role of women empowerment is the core of this paper. Adopting a qualitative study, this research shows
that the human rights of different right holders are interconnected and should be utilised to enhance one another.