In sub-Saharan Africa, girls remain far less likely to go to school at any education level. Over half of all children out of primary and secondary school are in Africa. Whilst the completion rate of girls in upper secondary education is 61% globally, in Sierra Leone only 22% of girls complete secondary school.
Education is a fundamental right, and a matter of justice. Girls' education and women's leadership is also key to tackling our most pressing global challenges and driving progress : every additional year of schooling can increase a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%, reduce child marriage, and improve health outcomes for future generations.
EducAid is committed to working to ensure all girls have access to quality education, and the tools to succeed. Our programmes work on improving retention, gender equality and creating safe, supportive learning environments where girls can meet their potential.
Current EducAid Projects
Pawa
Pawa (Power in Krio) is working for safer, girl-friendly and more inclusive schools. Across Freetown - Pawa is training school leaders on gender inclusive leadership that empowers principals, teachers, communities and students.
The Strong Girl Incubator (SGI)
The SGI has the overall goal of improving gender equality and significantly reducing poverty in Sierra Leone by providing access to high-quality education to vulnerable girls and young women.
The SGI provides girls and young women who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of school with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to access, participate and succeed in secondary education. Delivered in two EducAid’s school sites, the SGI also tackles economic and social barriers to girls’ education by providing school feeding, learning materials, hygiene supplies and accommodation.
In 2024, EducAid's Strong Girl Incubator:
"I believe I can achieve my dream if I get an education... I want to be a strong woman in the future and being in the SGI is a great way of achieving that" (SGI Participant 2024)
“I like SGI because the teachers teach us how to be hardworking and how to become a role models in and outside of the school.” (SGI Participant: 2024)
"I convinced myself to come back to school (and join the SGI) because I believe I can achieve my dream if I get an education and also will be able to take care of my baby... We learn how to become strong women and how to overcome difficulties” (SGI Participant: 2024)
Girl Power Group
The Girl Power Groups (GPG) are sessions where girls and young women can discuss and learn more about their rights. This is a space to talk about gender-related topics, violence prevention and empowerment. Strong female role models are invited to join the sessions giving young women the opportunity to learn directly from mentors. EducAid holds the GPG sessions every Thursday on two EducAid sites.
See more on the Gender Equality Section of our website : https://www.educaid.org.uk/gender-equality/
Comic Relief Gender Justice Fund
Aims to resource and fund the women’s rights movement in Sierra Leone. EducAid is working with GESL (Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone) on a 3 year project to improve the employability of young women.
