The education of females, not only improves the health and nutrition of children, but of all members of the household. The following figure illustrates the relationship between maternal education and child mortality for a group of seven countries. It clearly shows the increased chance of child survival with the education of mothers. In Zimbabwe, Oxfam has found that the deteriorating economic situation is having dramatic effects on the health and education systems. With school and health fees tripling in price, women and girls are the most affected.
Girls are usually the first to be withdrawn from school when money 'is tight'.
Malnutrition rates are swiftly on the rise among women and children. Over the past twenty years in Zimbabwe, however, it has been shown that children of better educated mothers are half as likely to suffer from malnutrition as those of uneducated mothers. The long term consequences of vulnerable women and children is tragic. 1 Make a list of all the activities you do each day that require you to read. Discuss how you would carry out those activities without access to education.