Author: Professor Dr. Mohammad Yamin Hossain
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi.
In Bangladesh, it is a deep-rooted social reality that girls often hesitate to go abroad for higher education on scholarships—an issue arising from various factors. Negative mindset and concerns about safety in many families and communities prevent many talented girls from seizing opportunities for higher studies. To truly understand the underlying picture of this problem, it is necessary to consider several key issues:
1. Fear about safety and the challenges of a foreign environment:
There is a common perception among Bangladeshi girls that living alone in a foreign country can be extremely difficult and risky. Particularly in Western countries, both girls and their families worry about safety when it comes to staying alone, working at night, or going out after dark. The unfamiliar rules, especially those related to religious and cultural differences, often cause a loss of confidence. Moreover, many lack experience living in hostels or alone, which adds complexity to adjusting in a new environment.
2. Narrow social mindset and cultural barriers:
For many guardians in Bangladesh, sending daughters abroad for higher studies is intertwined with social norms and traditional beliefs. Many parents fear that girls might become influenced by “Western values” or start leading independent lives outside of accepted norms, which they believe could be “harmful.” Such narrow-mindedness becomes a major barrier to girls’ educational progress and fulfillment of their dreams. Often, marriage becomes a topic of discussion, and sending girls abroad for higher education is deemed “unnecessary.”
3. Financial barriers and employment realities:
Many parents believe it is not necessary to spend so much money on girls, assuming they will eventually be confined to family life, with fewer opportunities for employment or financial independence. Even families capable of affording the costs are skeptical, thinking that their daughters will neither settle abroad after higher education nor do anything significant upon returning to make their investment worthwhile. As a result, talented girls are often deprived of international-standard education and employment opportunities. In reality, studying abroad with a scholarship essentially involves no cost.
4. Family pressure and mental barriers
Most girls in Bangladesh depend on their families, especially their parents, for crucial decisions, and parental attitudes greatly impact their aspirations for higher education abroad. Many parents feel sending their daughters overseas is beyond their responsibility or may result in a loss of control over their children. Consequently, talented girls often miss the opportunity to fully develop their potential.
5. Lack of information about scholarships and insufficient encouragement:
The majority of Bangladeshi girls lack information regarding studying abroad with scholarships. Awareness about available scholarships and research opportunities is low, and there is often a lack of motivation as well. Both girls and their parents believe that winning a scholarship for higher education abroad is difficult, and there is a risk that all their time and effort might go unrewarded if they are not selected.
Possible initiatives toward solutions:
To change societal attitudes and encourage girls toward higher studies, a few initiatives are crucial:
⊕ Increasing family awareness:
It is important to arrange workshops or seminars for parents to increase awareness about sending girls abroad. Parents need to understand the available opportunities for higher education and the significance of skill development for girls.
⊕ Assistance with safety:
Specific information and guidelines about safety should be provided to those planning to study abroad. In addition, mentorship and support can be offered through university programs.
⊕ Providing information and opportunities about scholarships:
Awareness about various scholarship programs and fellowships must be increased among girls. Especially in technology, science, and research, special scholarship schemes can be initiated to encourage girls.
⊕ Promoting a positive outlook in society:
By sharing stories of girls’ successes through higher education abroad, we can help strengthen both the mentality and confidence of other girls, ultimately building a more informed and progressive society.
Going abroad for higher education is a courageous step for girls. It not only opens new horizons in their lives but also plays a vital role in the economic and social development of the country. When girls overcome issues of safety and social barriers to pursue higher education, society, too, becomes a stakeholder in their success.
Note: Collected from Facebook—–https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12F1SYarms6/?mibextid=ZbWKwL
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