Document Type
Brief
Publication Date
1-2024
Abstract
Despite significant progress in improving primary enrollment and attainment for girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in recent years, gender disparities in education persist and hinder opportunities for girls. Educational attainment for girls has plateaued in numerous countries, with only a few making significant strides in narrowing the gender gap. Moreover, attainment alone does not always translate to improved learning. Gender-related barriers such as school environments that are not conducive to learning and the experience of violence, early and forced marriage, and early childbearing, as well as a lack of support for girls’ education impede attainment and learning. The Population Council’s GIRL Center was commissioned by a private grantmaking foundation to conduct a scoping review and analysis to identify investment opportunities in East and Southern Africa and Latin America. The aim was to identify countries with both a need to advance girls’ education and skills and existing traction with potential for significant systemic progress in a five-year period. This brief contains profiles of eight Latin American countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia) and summarizes insights on key education indicators, school environment, gender-related barriers to education, and policies related to education.
Recommended Citation
GIRL Center. 2024. "Understanding the education profiles of eight Latin American countries," GIRL Center Research Brief no. 15. New York: Population Council.
DOI
10.31899/sbsr2024.1001
Language
English
Project
GIRL Center