3 Ways to Increase Girls’ Education in Eritrea
Eritrean women help drive progress despite difficult situations
Eritrean women help drive progress despite difficult situations
Eritrean women help drive progress despite difficult situations
Eritrean women help drive progress despite difficult situations
Eritrean women help drive progress despite difficult situations
Eritrean women help drive progress despite difficult situations
In
1979, Eritrea was in the middle of its battle for independence. During
this time education was seen as essential to build the social capital of
the Eritrean community, as a key principle of social justice and a
human right. However, parents would only send boys to school.
On a recent trip to Eritrea to pilot a new Gender Analysis Tool
(prepared by the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations
Girls’ Education Initiative) to analyze whether countries are on track
to achieve gender equality in education, we had the pleasure of meeting
four dynamic women who lived through this difficult time: Luul Gebreab,
President of Tsega Gaim Misgun, Director General for Social Service;
Worku Zerai, an international consultant; and Mhret Iyob, Director
General of the UNESCO National Commission for Eritrea. These four women
are founding members of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), a grassroots organization established in 1979, dedicated to improving the status of Eritrean women.
In
1979, Eritrea was in the middle of its battle for independence. During
this time education was seen as essential to build the social capital of
the Eritrean community, as a key principle of social justice and a
human right. However, parents would only send boys to school.
On a recent trip to Eritrea to pilot a new Gender Analysis Tool (prepared by the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative) to analyze whether countries are on track to achieve gender equality in education, we had the pleasure of meeting four dynamic women who lived through this difficult time: Luul Gebreab, President of Tsega Gaim Misgun, Director General for Social Service; Worku Zerai, an international consultant; and Mhret Iyob, Director General of the UNESCO National Commission for Eritrea. These four women are founding members of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), a grassroots organization established in 1979, dedicated to improving the status of Eritrean women.
On a recent trip to Eritrea to pilot a new Gender Analysis Tool (prepared by the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative) to analyze whether countries are on track to achieve gender equality in education, we had the pleasure of meeting four dynamic women who lived through this difficult time: Luul Gebreab, President of Tsega Gaim Misgun, Director General for Social Service; Worku Zerai, an international consultant; and Mhret Iyob, Director General of the UNESCO National Commission for Eritrea. These four women are founding members of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), a grassroots organization established in 1979, dedicated to improving the status of Eritrean women.
Giving parents an ultimatum
During the time of the battle for independence, these four women
fought behind the trenches to ensure all children had access to
education. They created make-shift schools, disseminated political
messages and organized supporters. When make-shift classrooms under
trees were bombed, schools were moved into caves and eventually simple
structures were built and classes were taught with minimal supplies and
learning materials. Despite progress, girls were being excluded from
education.
A teacher at the time, Tsega Gaim Misgun, took matters into her own hands.
“I told the parents to send their daughters to school, but no one
would listen. But I gave them an ultimatum. Bring your daughters by
10.00 this morning, or I will close the school.”
Parents then started bringing their daughters to school and realized the importance of education.
Now when these four women travel through Eritrea, they are recognized
by their former students who work in all professions. “This is our
proudest accomplishment—to see girls and boys we taught and mentored in
professional positions. One girl became a pilot in the air force,
another a high profile journalist.”
During the time of the battle for independence, these four women
fought behind the trenches to ensure all children had access to
education. They created make-shift schools, disseminated political
messages and organized supporters. When make-shift classrooms under
trees were bombed, schools were moved into caves and eventually simple
structures were built and classes were taught with minimal supplies and
learning materials. Despite progress, girls were being excluded from
education.
A teacher at the time, Tsega Gaim Misgun, took matters into her own hands.
Now when these four women travel through Eritrea, they are recognized by their former students who work in all professions. “This is our proudest accomplishment—to see girls and boys we taught and mentored in professional positions. One girl became a pilot in the air force, another a high profile journalist.”
A teacher at the time, Tsega Gaim Misgun, took matters into her own hands.
“I told the parents to send their daughters to school, but no one would listen. But I gave them an ultimatum. Bring your daughters by 10.00 this morning, or I will close the school.”Parents then started bringing their daughters to school and realized the importance of education.
Now when these four women travel through Eritrea, they are recognized by their former students who work in all professions. “This is our proudest accomplishment—to see girls and boys we taught and mentored in professional positions. One girl became a pilot in the air force, another a high profile journalist.”
Three Innovative Ways to Ensure Girls Are EducatedNUEW’s main focus is to coordinate gender issues, mainstream gender and advocate for the cause of Eritrean women. Over the years, NUEW has directly designed and implemented projects and activities to increase access education and training; formulate programs to promote women’s literacy; and improve community attitudes for girls’ education. Three innovative examples are highlighted below:
1. Bicycles
There was a high drop-out rate for girls in the Debre Bizen Secondary
School near the town of Nefasit, largely due the distance of the school
from their homes. NUEW selected 118 girls who travel more than nine
kilometers to be part of a project where 60 girls received bicycles. Of
those, 55 completed secondary school and took the matriculation exam.
2. Donkeys and canvas water tanks
NUEW helped to introduce measures to bring more girls into school by
providing over 10,000 families with donkeys. In this project, women in
rural areas were provided a donkey and canvas water tank. As a result,
thousands of girls were able to go to school rather than fetch water.
The project also helped with gender roles as boys and men started using
the donkey and shared in the water fetching activities.
3. Engage Communities
The rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Eritrea are very
high—83% of females nationally have been cut; under the age of 15 rates
have reduced to under 15%. In order to engage communities about this
harmful and painful practice, the Ministry of Health developed a film
and started an advocacy drive to show the film across the country to
students and their families. Eventually villages started public
declarations against FGM.
NUEW helped create reproductive and gender committees all over the
country, which included equal numbers of men and women, girls and boys
from the communities. NUEW developed and presented the President of
Eritrea with a report on the devastating effects of FGM and encouraged
the government to pass legislation against the practice. In 2007, the
law was approved but remained difficult to enforce. The NUEW committees
get the communities involved and as a result, over 900 cases have been
reported to the police since 2007.
These dynamic and courageous women have led the way for other girls
and young women to make a difference not only to gender equality in
education, but for the whole nation of Eritrea.
Read more about the National Women of Eritrean Women.
1. Bicycles
There was a high drop-out rate for girls in the Debre Bizen Secondary School near the town of Nefasit, largely due the distance of the school from their homes. NUEW selected 118 girls who travel more than nine kilometers to be part of a project where 60 girls received bicycles. Of those, 55 completed secondary school and took the matriculation exam.
2. Donkeys and canvas water tanks
NUEW helped to introduce measures to bring more girls into school by providing over 10,000 families with donkeys. In this project, women in rural areas were provided a donkey and canvas water tank. As a result, thousands of girls were able to go to school rather than fetch water. The project also helped with gender roles as boys and men started using the donkey and shared in the water fetching activities.
3. Engage Communities
The rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Eritrea are very high—83% of females nationally have been cut; under the age of 15 rates have reduced to under 15%. In order to engage communities about this harmful and painful practice, the Ministry of Health developed a film and started an advocacy drive to show the film across the country to students and their families. Eventually villages started public declarations against FGM.
NUEW helped create reproductive and gender committees all over the country, which included equal numbers of men and women, girls and boys from the communities. NUEW developed and presented the President of Eritrea with a report on the devastating effects of FGM and encouraged the government to pass legislation against the practice. In 2007, the law was approved but remained difficult to enforce. The NUEW committees get the communities involved and as a result, over 900 cases have been reported to the police since 2007.
These dynamic and courageous women have led the way for other girls and young women to make a difference not only to gender equality in education, but for the whole nation of Eritrea.
Read more about the National Women of Eritrean Women.
There was a high drop-out rate for girls in the Debre Bizen Secondary School near the town of Nefasit, largely due the distance of the school from their homes. NUEW selected 118 girls who travel more than nine kilometers to be part of a project where 60 girls received bicycles. Of those, 55 completed secondary school and took the matriculation exam.
2. Donkeys and canvas water tanks
NUEW helped to introduce measures to bring more girls into school by providing over 10,000 families with donkeys. In this project, women in rural areas were provided a donkey and canvas water tank. As a result, thousands of girls were able to go to school rather than fetch water. The project also helped with gender roles as boys and men started using the donkey and shared in the water fetching activities.
3. Engage Communities
The rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Eritrea are very high—83% of females nationally have been cut; under the age of 15 rates have reduced to under 15%. In order to engage communities about this harmful and painful practice, the Ministry of Health developed a film and started an advocacy drive to show the film across the country to students and their families. Eventually villages started public declarations against FGM.
NUEW helped create reproductive and gender committees all over the country, which included equal numbers of men and women, girls and boys from the communities. NUEW developed and presented the President of Eritrea with a report on the devastating effects of FGM and encouraged the government to pass legislation against the practice. In 2007, the law was approved but remained difficult to enforce. The NUEW committees get the communities involved and as a result, over 900 cases have been reported to the police since 2007.
These dynamic and courageous women have led the way for other girls and young women to make a difference not only to gender equality in education, but for the whole nation of Eritrea.
Read more about the National Women of Eritrean Women.
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In
1979, Eritrea was in the middle of its battle for independence. During
this time education was seen as essential to build the social capital of
the Eritrean community, as a key principle of social justice and a
human right. However, parents would only send boys to school.
On a recent trip to Eritrea to pilot a new Gender Analysis Tool
(prepared by the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations
Girls’ Education Initiative) to analyze whether countries are on track
to achieve gender equality in education, we had the pleasure of meeting
four dynamic women who lived through this difficult time: Luul Gebreab,
President of Tsega Gaim Misgun, Director General for Social Service;
Worku Zerai, an international consultant; and Mhret Iyob, Director
General of the UNESCO National Commission for Eritrea. These four women
are founding members of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), a grassroots organization established in 1979, dedicated to improving the status of Eritrean women.
In
1979, Eritrea was in the middle of its battle for independence. During
this time education was seen as essential to build the social capital of
the Eritrean community, as a key principle of social justice and a
human right. However, parents would only send boys to school.
On a recent trip to Eritrea to pilot a new Gender Analysis Tool (prepared by the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative) to analyze whether countries are on track to achieve gender equality in education, we had the pleasure of meeting four dynamic women who lived through this difficult time: Luul Gebreab, President of Tsega Gaim Misgun, Director General for Social Service; Worku Zerai, an international consultant; and Mhret Iyob, Director General of the UNESCO National Commission for Eritrea. These four women are founding members of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), a grassroots organization established in 1979, dedicated to improving the status of Eritrean women.
On a recent trip to Eritrea to pilot a new Gender Analysis Tool (prepared by the Global Partnership for Education and the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative) to analyze whether countries are on track to achieve gender equality in education, we had the pleasure of meeting four dynamic women who lived through this difficult time: Luul Gebreab, President of Tsega Gaim Misgun, Director General for Social Service; Worku Zerai, an international consultant; and Mhret Iyob, Director General of the UNESCO National Commission for Eritrea. These four women are founding members of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), a grassroots organization established in 1979, dedicated to improving the status of Eritrean women.
Giving parents an ultimatum
During the time of the battle for independence, these four women
fought behind the trenches to ensure all children had access to
education. They created make-shift schools, disseminated political
messages and organized supporters. When make-shift classrooms under
trees were bombed, schools were moved into caves and eventually simple
structures were built and classes were taught with minimal supplies and
learning materials. Despite progress, girls were being excluded from
education.
A teacher at the time, Tsega Gaim Misgun, took matters into her own hands.
“I told the parents to send their daughters to school, but no one
would listen. But I gave them an ultimatum. Bring your daughters by
10.00 this morning, or I will close the school.”
Parents then started bringing their daughters to school and realized the importance of education.
Now when these four women travel through Eritrea, they are recognized
by their former students who work in all professions. “This is our
proudest accomplishment—to see girls and boys we taught and mentored in
professional positions. One girl became a pilot in the air force,
another a high profile journalist.”
During the time of the battle for independence, these four women
fought behind the trenches to ensure all children had access to
education. They created make-shift schools, disseminated political
messages and organized supporters. When make-shift classrooms under
trees were bombed, schools were moved into caves and eventually simple
structures were built and classes were taught with minimal supplies and
learning materials. Despite progress, girls were being excluded from
education.
A teacher at the time, Tsega Gaim Misgun, took matters into her own hands.
Now when these four women travel through Eritrea, they are recognized by their former students who work in all professions. “This is our proudest accomplishment—to see girls and boys we taught and mentored in professional positions. One girl became a pilot in the air force, another a high profile journalist.”
A teacher at the time, Tsega Gaim Misgun, took matters into her own hands.
“I told the parents to send their daughters to school, but no one would listen. But I gave them an ultimatum. Bring your daughters by 10.00 this morning, or I will close the school.”Parents then started bringing their daughters to school and realized the importance of education.
Now when these four women travel through Eritrea, they are recognized by their former students who work in all professions. “This is our proudest accomplishment—to see girls and boys we taught and mentored in professional positions. One girl became a pilot in the air force, another a high profile journalist.”
Three Innovative Ways to Ensure Girls Are Educated
NUEW’s main focus is to coordinate gender issues, mainstream gender
and advocate for the cause of Eritrean women. Over the years, NUEW has
directly designed and implemented projects and activities to increase
access education and training; formulate programs to promote women’s
literacy; and improve community attitudes for girls’ education. Three
innovative examples are highlighted below:
1. Bicycles
There was a high drop-out rate for girls in the Debre Bizen Secondary
School near the town of Nefasit, largely due the distance of the school
from their homes. NUEW selected 118 girls who travel more than nine
kilometers to be part of a project where 60 girls received bicycles. Of
those, 55 completed secondary school and took the matriculation exam.
2. Donkeys and canvas water tanks
NUEW helped to introduce measures to bring more girls into school by
providing over 10,000 families with donkeys. In this project, women in
rural areas were provided a donkey and canvas water tank. As a result,
thousands of girls were able to go to school rather than fetch water.
The project also helped with gender roles as boys and men started using
the donkey and shared in the water fetching activities.
3. Engage Communities
The rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Eritrea are very
high—83% of females nationally have been cut; under the age of 15 rates
have reduced to under 15%. In order to engage communities about this
harmful and painful practice, the Ministry of Health developed a film
and started an advocacy drive to show the film across the country to
students and their families. Eventually villages started public
declarations against FGM.
NUEW helped create reproductive and gender committees all over the
country, which included equal numbers of men and women, girls and boys
from the communities. NUEW developed and presented the President of
Eritrea with a report on the devastating effects of FGM and encouraged
the government to pass legislation against the practice. In 2007, the
law was approved but remained difficult to enforce. The NUEW committees
get the communities involved and as a result, over 900 cases have been
reported to the police since 2007.
These dynamic and courageous women have led the way for other girls
and young women to make a difference not only to gender equality in
education, but for the whole nation of Eritrea.
Read more about the National Women of Eritrean Women.
NUEW’s main focus is to coordinate gender issues, mainstream gender
and advocate for the cause of Eritrean women. Over the years, NUEW has
directly designed and implemented projects and activities to increase
access education and training; formulate programs to promote women’s
literacy; and improve community attitudes for girls’ education. Three
innovative examples are highlighted below:
1. Bicycles
There was a high drop-out rate for girls in the Debre Bizen Secondary School near the town of Nefasit, largely due the distance of the school from their homes. NUEW selected 118 girls who travel more than nine kilometers to be part of a project where 60 girls received bicycles. Of those, 55 completed secondary school and took the matriculation exam.
2. Donkeys and canvas water tanks
NUEW helped to introduce measures to bring more girls into school by providing over 10,000 families with donkeys. In this project, women in rural areas were provided a donkey and canvas water tank. As a result, thousands of girls were able to go to school rather than fetch water. The project also helped with gender roles as boys and men started using the donkey and shared in the water fetching activities.
3. Engage Communities
The rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Eritrea are very high—83% of females nationally have been cut; under the age of 15 rates have reduced to under 15%. In order to engage communities about this harmful and painful practice, the Ministry of Health developed a film and started an advocacy drive to show the film across the country to students and their families. Eventually villages started public declarations against FGM.
NUEW helped create reproductive and gender committees all over the country, which included equal numbers of men and women, girls and boys from the communities. NUEW developed and presented the President of Eritrea with a report on the devastating effects of FGM and encouraged the government to pass legislation against the practice. In 2007, the law was approved but remained difficult to enforce. The NUEW committees get the communities involved and as a result, over 900 cases have been reported to the police since 2007.
These dynamic and courageous women have led the way for other girls and young women to make a difference not only to gender equality in education, but for the whole nation of Eritrea.
Read more about the National Women of Eritrean Women.
1. Bicycles
There was a high drop-out rate for girls in the Debre Bizen Secondary School near the town of Nefasit, largely due the distance of the school from their homes. NUEW selected 118 girls who travel more than nine kilometers to be part of a project where 60 girls received bicycles. Of those, 55 completed secondary school and took the matriculation exam.
2. Donkeys and canvas water tanks
NUEW helped to introduce measures to bring more girls into school by providing over 10,000 families with donkeys. In this project, women in rural areas were provided a donkey and canvas water tank. As a result, thousands of girls were able to go to school rather than fetch water. The project also helped with gender roles as boys and men started using the donkey and shared in the water fetching activities.
3. Engage Communities
The rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Eritrea are very high—83% of females nationally have been cut; under the age of 15 rates have reduced to under 15%. In order to engage communities about this harmful and painful practice, the Ministry of Health developed a film and started an advocacy drive to show the film across the country to students and their families. Eventually villages started public declarations against FGM.
NUEW helped create reproductive and gender committees all over the country, which included equal numbers of men and women, girls and boys from the communities. NUEW developed and presented the President of Eritrea with a report on the devastating effects of FGM and encouraged the government to pass legislation against the practice. In 2007, the law was approved but remained difficult to enforce. The NUEW committees get the communities involved and as a result, over 900 cases have been reported to the police since 2007.
These dynamic and courageous women have led the way for other girls and young women to make a difference not only to gender equality in education, but for the whole nation of Eritrea.
Read more about the National Women of Eritrean Women.
