For the progress of a country education for women is as much essential as for men. Men and women are two wheels of the cart of society. The cart cannot run properly if one of the wheels is defective. Women from almost half of the population of a country. If such a large portion is denied the privilege of education the country is bound to lag behind. There was a time when it was said that educated women are apt to neglect their domestic duties and lose their tender grace and feminine virtues. An educated woman was suspected to be self conceited good only for novel reading playing on the organ, slighting her husband and disobeying her parents. But those days are gone. It is now pretty difficult to procure a good match for a girl who does not know how to read and write. The importance of education for women is now admitted by every one.
Women have to play every role in the society. So there are may advantages of education for women. First an educated woman is conversant with her duties as a citizen of a state. An educated woman is aware of the part she has to play in the growth of her nation. She understands her responsibilities towards herself her family and country. Women cannot become good citizens if they are uneducated. Moreover they pass on their education to their children it has been rightly said If you educate a man you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman you educate a family. So education for women cannot be neglected.
On the other hand a mother has a great influence on her child. The upbringing of a child the inculcation of good ideas and habits are done more by the mothers than the father or the teachers. An educated mother can serve her country in the sense that she produces good citizens with tolerant views and vast outlooks. Uneducated mothers are superstitious. They do not have elementary medical knowledge. The alarming figure of infant mortality is mostly due to the ignorance of mothers. Educated mothers will give the nation healthy enlightened and decently brought up children. In this way the future of nations depend on the education for women.
One more thing an uneducated woman cannot be a good wife. She will not be able to understand her husband. There will be no mutual adjustment which is very essential for a good married life. On the other hand an educated wife is refined matured and resourceful. She can help the family by getting into some employment. She can look after her husband and children in illness. She can easily run the administration of the home properly. She can bring peace prosperity and progress in home.
When education is so necessary for women more girls schools colleges and universities should be opened for them. But all women do not need that type of education which is imparted to men. There are many who are to stay at home. To them useful subjects such as nursing, domestic science, hygiene and embroidery should be taught. These subjects can be of more help to them than higher Mathematics , Political Science or Economics. They must be taught how to manage the house. They should be able to look after the house properly. Such kind of education should be in parted to them.