GIRL Center

Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

1-2024

Abstract

Despite significant progress in improving primary enrollment and attainment for girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in recent years, gender disparities in education persist and hinder opportunities for girls. Educational attainment for girls has plateaued in numerous countries, with only a few making significant strides in narrowing the gender gap. Moreover, attainment alone does not always translate to improved learning. Gender-related barriers such as school environments that are not conducive to learning and the experience of violence, early and forced marriage, and early childbearing, as well as a lack of support for girls’ education impede attainment and learning. The Population Council’s GIRL Center was commissioned by a private grantmaking foundation to conduct a scoping review and analysis to identify investment opportunities in East and Southern Africa and Latin America. The aim was to identify countries with both a need to advance girls’ education and skills and existing traction with potential for significant systemic progress in a five-year period. This brief contains profiles of seven East and Southern African countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia) and summarizes insights on key education indicators, school environment, gender-related barriers to education, and policies related to education.

DOI

10.31899/sbsr2024.1000

Language

English

Project

GIRL Center

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