EDUCATION
EDUCATION
SPOTLIGHT Take 2 Girls get a second chance to study.
NEWS FEED – MALI IMAGINE THIS!
Patricia with her daughter
G etting an education is the most powerful way for girls to overcome inequality. It’s also one of the most powerful ways to reduce child marriage and, indirectly, early child-bearing. “Even before COVID-19, millions of children worldwide were unable to attend school,” explains Dr. Tanjina Mirza, chief programs officer at Plan International Canada. “Additional factors such as poverty, gender inequality and emergencies like the hunger crisis, earthquakes, floods and conflict Powerful Lesson Plans We’re experts in creating and developing education programs that help change children’s lives.
Girls in Mali are missing out on school. COVID-19, armed conflict and displacement have created an education crisis. Schools are closed, students are falling behind and youth, especially girls, can’t easily return to their studies after living through such upheaval. That’s why the IMAGINE program in Mali offers alternative learning options so out-of-school children have a greater chance of integrating back into class. Teachers are trained to provide inclusive, psychosocial and conflict-sensitive support. The team also teaches girls that getting an education is their right and a path to a better future. Here are some of the achievements we helped make possible with the support of Global Affairs Canada with matched funds from supporters: 1 , 190 youths participated in home-based learning programs in communities where schools were closed.
The Plan for Girls project in Benin and Cameroon offers hope to girls who have left their studies due to an early pregnancy, gender biases or poverty or because they live too far away from school. The Girls’ Advisory Committee is the backbone of the project, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada with matched funds from Canadian supporters. Seventy-five girls from 60 villages participate in creating Plan for Girls activities. Involving them in the decision making in this manner had not been done before. The committee members, nominated by their peers, develop action plans that include working with authorities on issues related to health, education, violence, employment and gender equality. The goal is to have decision makers listen to and involve adolescent girls so that together they can break the cycle of poverty. Joining the advisory committee in 2022 changed Patricia’s life. After an unplanned pregnancy, she dropped out of school. While she was home with her baby, she was asked to join the committee.
Children living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, attending an early-learning centre
further prevent girls and boys from accessing this basic right.” A lack of education limits children’s opportunities, and not having a safe place to spend their days leaves them at a heightened risk of disease, abuse and exploitation, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and more. To break down barriers to accessing education, we: Support early-childhood learning and development programs.
Facilitate accelerated-learning programs, where children who have missed periods of schooling are given a chance to catch up and eventually re-enter formal schools. Establish education savings groups and offer teacher training that addresses the needs of girls. Provide skills training so youth can earn a living to support themselves.
10 , 800 parents in Cameroon attended community sessions and workshops to discuss ways to prioritize girls’ education in 2022.
girls at risk of dropping out of school attended remediation classes to help them continue their studies. out-of-school girls attended accelerated-learning programs to help them re-enter school. teachers at 903 schools were trained to provide inclusive, psychosocial and conflict-sensitive support to students.
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She began to participate in activities that raised her awareness about her rights, which include the right to get an education. “I felt confident that I could succeed,” she says, “and that’s what convinced me to go back to school.” Today, Patricia plans to finish her studies and enroll in secretarial training.
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BY THE NUMBERS GIFTS OF HOPE
The desire to study is there – but not the means. “That’s why this gift is so meaningful,” notes Emma Patterson, director of Gifts of Hope at Plan International Canada. “It provides girls in low-income countries with the support they need to continue their schooling. This
gives them choices about a future that doesn’t just include marriage and motherhood.” And they’re not the only ones who benefit. When girls are educated, it helps their parents, brothers, sisters, communities – everyone. All they need is the chance to study.
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$288 , 024 In 2022, the $295 Send a Girl to School gift raised: (32% YOY increase)
READ THE IMPACT REPORT
READ THE IMPACT REPORT
22 | 2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report | 23
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