What are the benefits of a girls-only school in India?
Girls only schools wield powers that no co-ed school has when it comes to empower women individually and as a group. Here are some of the benefits of attending a girls school in India.
Experience individuality :
A girl in a girl’s only school does not need to fit herself into a boy’s world. She can create her own world. Often, they are met with stereotypes which leads to lack of confidence and even conditions them into some roles of caregivers or home makers.
Science has recognized that women are equally capable as men but the world is having a had time accepting that and that’s why during schooling only girls are made to fit into the “role” of being a girl and find themselves trying to fit into the preexisting structure.
In a girls only school, girls get to explore themselves more and truly discover their abilities, irrespective of being assigned a particular field and without being hindered by social structures and expectations.
Safe, secure and comforting environment:
There are cases in schools where girls are subjected to eve teasing or even are molested. Often the society resorts to victim blaming and parents take their girls out of schools. There are a lot of girls in our country, in small towns, where women are allowed to study after succumbing to various conditions.
Surfacing of such an incident can lead to discontinuation of their studies and that’s why girls endure such behaviors while not informing or reporting these things. In an all girls environment if such a thing happens girls can report to their teachers and friends more freely.
These schools also have awareness programs to make sure that girls can share experience and find solidarity in fighting against such crimes.
Easier to experiment and step out of comfort zones:
Being in the presence of the other sex may lead to hesitation or can be uncomforting for teenage girls. This leads to girls not outwardly presenting their interests or skills due to fear of judgement. For example a lot of girls don’t participate in sports as they fear being considered too masculine.
While the world outside is continuously evolving the structure of Indian society is still very stern. Parents also divide actions into a binary but studying in their daughter a girls school where all girls are participating in sports they aren’t able to do so.
Comfortable with changes:
Girls, in terms of hormonal development, experience many changes in their body in their teenage years. Being in a girls only environment makes it easier for them to accept these changes. They can also share their thoughts and problems freely.
Prep for the real world:
Experiencing all of the above a girl becomes more confident and understands that the world is going to deny her of her rights but such schools prepares girls to fight and make a world where everyone is free and equal.
In today’s world there is a need to create spaces for women where they can share their experiences of getting marginalized so that we can spread awareness and unite towards society and its expectations especially in India.