Intersectionality: The Impact of Gender and Regional Disparities on Educational Equity

This paper explores the impact of gender and regional differences on educational equity, focusing on the intertwining nature of these two factors in creating unequal educational opportunities. Equity in education is a central issue in global education policy, with the objective of ensuring that all children have equal access to education. However, gender inequality and regional differences remain major obstacles to achieving equity in education. In developing countries and poor regions, the interplay of gender discrimination and regional disparities further exacerbates the inequitable distribution of educational resources, leading to numerous children lacking access to comparable educational opportunities as their peers. This paper employs a case study approach to examine the impact of gender on educational opportunities, course selection, and the influence of regional differences on education. Specifically, it utilizes the case of Bihar, India, to explore how gender and region interact to influence educational opportunities for rural girls. Despite the introduction of numerous policies aimed at promoting female education by the Indian government, traditional views on gender roles and social expectations, including early marriage and familial responsibilities, remain deeply entrenched, thereby impeding the educational prospects of girls.