Promoting Greater Access to University for GIRLS

The initiative aims to improve the academic performance leadership and self-determination of high school girls in the remote region of Benishangul-Gumuz in Ethiopia. It helps them develop their academic capacity for higher education. Project activities include: (1) increasing community and familial encouragement of girls' enrollment in formal education; (2) improving academic performance leadership abilities and autonomy of girls; (3) enhancing regional zonal and district-level governance administration and delivery of gender-equitable education for girls; (4) supporting the enhancement of academic social and soft skills for adolescent girls; (5) strengthening the capacity of teachers and educational institutions to deliver quality and gender-sensitive education; and (6) adopting a holistic and transformative approach to addressing barriers to girls’ higher education including through community engagement. With the additional COVID-19 funding the project aims to reach 131 286 students (70 609 young men and 60 677 young women); 3 232 teachers (2 290 men and 942 women); and 235 school administrative officials (150 men; 85 women). The project benefits a total of 673 765 indirect beneficiaries which include 656 430 students’ parents; 16 160 teachers; and 1 175 school administrative officials.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased community and familial encouragement of girls' enrollment in formal education; (2) improved academic performance leadership abilities and autonomy of girls; and (3) enhanced regional zonal and district-level governance administration and delivery of gender-equitable education for girls. The project also expects to improve the prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks in target project secondary schools.