The Education of the Girl Child: Muslim Parents’ Perspectives in Ghana

The education of the girl child is globally recognized as a fundamental human right and a driver of social and economic transformation. However, in many Muslim communities in Ghana, girls continue to face barriers to accessing and completing formal education due to entrenched religious, cultural, and socio-economic constraints. This study investigates Muslim parents’ perspectives on the education of the girl child, using a narrative literature review methodology to synthesize findings from 35 peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and NGO reports published between 2005 and 2024. The review reveals that while Islam inherently supports education for both genders, parental resistance often stems from misinterpretations of religious doctrine, concerns about moral degradation, and gendered expectations rooted in patriarchal traditions. Socio-cultural practices, including early marriage and domestic responsibilities, further marginalize girls from the formal education system. In addition, economic barriers such as hidden schooling costs and the opportunity cost of girls’ labor contribute to high dropout rates. Although national policies like Ghana’s Free SHS have improved access, their impact is limited in Muslim-majority communities due to poor localization and lack of faith-aligned programming. The study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive policy interventions, community engagement, and active involvement of religious leaders to foster educational inclusion. By highlighting both barriers and pathways to transformation, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing girls’ education in Ghana’s Muslim communities and offers practical recommendations for inclusive and sustainable educational reform.