Many decades ago, there was never the aching need or want for young girls or women to be literates or have access to education. There were always more pressing matters and priorities that were closely associated with certain gender stereotypes. For the past few years though, the need for education and literacy for young girls and women in African countries has grown into reality, which has given them the chance to explore and build careers and identities for themselves so they can thrive in the real world.
Although there are many countries where girl-child education has not been prioritised due to Pervasive poverty and persistent cultural attitudes; including forced early marriages and child labor. Certain countries have acknowledged the need for young girls to have access to education. We also need to acknowledge the fact that not every family can afford to educate their children, specifically young girls. Thus, When families lack funds to provide food, school fees, and uniforms for their children, girls are the first to drop out of school.
The introduction of free education for young girls and women would, however, notably pave way for easier access to proper education and a good standard of living. It would eradicate the rate of early marriage, early pregnancy, and abuse. Without the choice to influence their futures, the endless potential of young girls and women would be wasted. This, it is essential for women and young girls in African countries to have access to the endless opportunities they can use to maximise their potential.
African countries with free education give women and girls access to the endless opportunities they can use to maximise their potential.
Free education for young girls and women in African countries would be a huge step in the right direction to ensure poverty alleviation and reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality as well as gender-based violence to a considerable extent. A considerable increase in productivity, efficiency, and income as a result of education in young girls and women in African countries would favour the economic development of those countries in Africa. It would also greatly decrease the rate of unemployment and instability.
For young girls in African countries, access to free education would be a huge step in the right direction to help them actualise their dreams and goals which were at one point or the other interrupted or disrupted due to poverty, early marriage, or abuse. Deliberate efforts like free education would help young girls and women in Africa, gain their independence and exercise their rights irrespective of gender-based discrimination. This would be an avenue for women to directly or indirectly influence the political system.
Free education would mean greater economic empowerment for young girls and women in African countries through the provision of equal work opportunities for women and men which would lead to economic growth. Young girls and women in African countries who are born in families with only female children would be empowered through free education to protect themselves and their families from the effects of economic and environmental shocks. Access to resources that can help young girls and women venture and excel in tech-related fields, and certain industries that have been dominated by gender inequality. This would be a huge step in breaking certain biases and stereotypes that have oppressed women for decades
Educated young girls and women in African countries would be more likely to stand against gender-based violence and discrimination than uneducated young girls and women, Ignorance and illiteracy have been proven to be one of the most effective tools in exploiting young girls and women in African countries. Women are also more likely to take control of the decision-making aspects of their lives without being constrained. for example in terms of how/where to deliver a baby. Most times the husband or partner may make these decisions, or it may be made by the mother-in-law in some cultures. The same can be said about decisions for antenatal care, which impacts the health and well-being of the mother and the future newborn. With the right education, young girls and women would be equipped with the right knowledge to make relevant life decisions.
Education leads to a greater sense of equality and self-belief among women; therefore promoting social cohesion.
Increased education can be important for nation-building and social cohesion. At the individual level, friendships made in late secondary school and tertiary education can be very important for girls’ transition to adulthood. One potential explanation is that individuals often become friends with others from a similar socio-economic background. Therefore, friends of better-educated women may have the ability to help, especially when they are in need, while friends of women with lower levels of educational attainment may not have that ability.
Education leads to a greater sense of equality and self-belief among women. In terms of the financial gains for the family. The sense of empowerment, along with practical skills developed in school, makes a mother more likely to pursue work, rather than the homemaking role alone.  Therefore, families can often benefit from a higher level of income. This will naturally lead to a reduction in poverty levels in African countries such as Nigeria.
Most importantly, Free education for young girls and women in African countries would enable them to marry at an appropriate age, have healthy children, earn more money than they invest back into their families and communities, and play more active roles in leading their communities and countries. Young girls and women in African countries who are educated have the potential to positively influence their health and lifestyle, Education would equip them with valuable knowledge to care for themselves, and also abstain from sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.
It gets even better. Girls with secondary schooling are five times less likely to marry as children compared to girls who have little or no education and have healthier families. Also, Women with a secondary school education will earn twice as much, on average, as women without education.  In conclusion, free education for young girls and women in African countries will pave way for better healthcare and socio-economic welfare in every aspect of their lives.
