Asante Africa Foundation’s Wezesha Vijana Program — a special curriculum that boosts the girl child’s chances to succeed is highlighted as Best Practice in United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI). The UNGEI Good Practice Fund supports organisations and local governments from across the globe to shed light on best practices and lessons learnt in gender focused education initiatives.
Education has the power to change a girl’s life and that of her family and community. All over the world — and in developing countries, in particular — we see proof that when women are educated, child marriages and child mortality rates are drastically reduced. In fact, simply making sure that girls don’t miss out on primary education is enough to substantially reduce maternal mortality. But it’s important that girls stay in school long enough, at least through lower high school grades, before we can reap those benefits. In far too many instances, this just isn’t the reality.
Girls are far less likely than boys to complete primary (elementary or middle) school, especially in low-income countries where only 20% have achieved gender parity at the primary level and 10% at the lower secondary level. These findings are highlighted in UNESCO’s Gender Summary Report, which analyses data from the 11th annual Education for All Global Monitoring Report. The report was released in partnership with the United Nations Girls Education Initiative (UNGEI).
Project Highlights
From 2014 -2016, the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), in partnership with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), launched the UNGEI Fund for Documentation of Good Practice in Girls’ Education and Gender Equality.
Out of 450 global nominations, 17 programs — including Asante Africa Foundation were chosen to be highlighted as unique and creative ways of promoting and sustaining girls’ education. Overall, the case studies demonstrated that even small-scale programs aimed at changing attitudes towards girls and women in the context of education, can contribute to gender equality in the wider society.
Case studies also found that undergoing workshops that teach them about health, or build up their unique strengths and capabilities, made girls that much more confident in aspiring for professional and personal opportunities beyond school. More so when programs engaged the boys and the whole community by fostering changes in attitudes and behaviors, and by focusing on increasing girls’ agency and self-confidence.
“Complex systemic problems require a systemic solution. When keeping girls in school we need the community, parents, and boys to be a part of the equation. We witness firsthand the power of knowledge when the girls stand up with confidence.” Erna Grasz, CEO of Asante Africa Foundation
Find out more
To ensure that these project findings are shared with sector wide practitioners, researchers and donors, a website has been established to centrally host materials. To view case studies and learn more about the project, visit www.goodpracticefund.org. Click here to download Asante Africa Foundation’s Case Study.
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