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REITERATING THE OBVIOUS - EDUCATION IS A HUMAN SECURITY ISSUE
access financial services, and manage land. Illiteracy and innumeracy are
themselves insecurities.
These freedoms are vital in alleviating many insecurities that women and girls
confront. They also facilitate the enjoyment of many human rights for women and
girls and are a development tool through their empowering nature. This is at the
core of realizing Africa’s Agenda 2063, the 2030 Sustainable Goals, and general
human development.
General comment No.13 adopted by the Committee on International Covenant
on Economic Social Cultural Rights definition of education encapsulates its vital
significance and centrality in providing human security in many aspects of life and
its relation to realizing many rights and fostering sustainable human development.
Among other things, it states that:
Education is both a human right and an indispensable means of realizing other hu¬
man rights. As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which
economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out
of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities. Education
has a vital role in empowering women, safeguarding children from exploitative and
hazardous labour and sexual exploitation, promoting human rights and democracy,
protecting the environment, and controlling population growth. Increasingly, edu¬
cation is recognized as one of the best financial investments States can make. But
the importance of education is not just practical: a well-educated, enlightened and
active mind, able to wander freely and widely, is one of the joys and rewards of human
existence.”
The quote reflects many human security components and addresses the individual
benefits of education, which spill into society and alleviate societal burdens in many
ways. It also highpoints the multifaceted and interconnected nature of education
with other vital subjects to girls and women’s protection and empowerment.
The four African human rights instruments and operationalization documents
this article discusses reflect similar insight.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples Right
The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Hereafter, the Banjul Charter)
in its preamble mentions that:
23 United Nations CESCR, General Comment No.13: The Right to Education (Article 13)
(1999), paragraph 1.
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