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Gender Equality in Education and Poverty Reduction

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Gender Equality in Education and Poverty Reduction
A Study on GENDER EQUQLITY IN EDUCATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION
Shanta Laxmi Shrestha

Submitted to
Assoc. Professor Mahesh Nath Parajuli, PhD
Kathmandu University

In partial fulfilment of the requirement of the course
Educ 545 Theory and Practice in Education and Development
M Phil (Development Studies)
School of Education
Kathmandu University

Lalitpur
May 2009
Word Count: 4564

Gender Equality in Education and Poverty Reduction

Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of gender equality, its application in national development plan and in education in Nepal. It gives the glimpse of gender parity and equality situation in education. It also shares the reasons achieving EFA as well as MDGs goals and thereby analyzes the causes of not achieving gender equality in education. It advocates for application of substantive equality – equality in outcome - approach in achieving gender equality in education in real sense as envisaged in the EFA and MDGs. The paper advocates about the necessity of investment in gender equality in education for enhancing capability, which in turn reduce poverty. The paper argues that gender equality in education is indispensable for developing human capital that are essential for poverty reduction and achieving MDGs. As gender is highly relevant to all MDGs, it urges for investing education of girls for gender equality education. The paper is based on study of related literatures. Main thrust of study has been to explore on the iimportance of gender equality education to reduce poverty in Nepal.

Introduction
The Human Development Report 1995 stated, “Human Development, if not engendered, is endangered” (UNDP, 1995, p.1). Educational attainment is one of the key components of human development, without engendering it; other aspects seem not possible to engender. Commitments for gender equality in education have been made in various instruments including the Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC) and


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