In Kenya, the figure is more than 600,000, according to statistics by United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
Due to the unprecedented Covid pandemic, the number is likely to be far worse. These stark figures are not by chance.
Girls’ education remains under threat because of barriers such as poverty, early marriage, gender-based violence and backward cultural norms like prioritising boys’ education.
ActionAid International Kenya is working to shift the narrative through the Education for Life (EFL) project, which aims to provide catch-up classes on literacy and numeracy to girls between 10 and 19.
The project, implemented in September 2018 and expected to run until March 2023, was envisioned to address the educational issues affecting out-of-school girls and improve their life chances.
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The program targets schoolgirls with disabilities and focuses on Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kisumu and Migori counties.
ActionAid Executive Director, Susan Otieno, noted that EFL has been instrumental in enabling the girls to practise autonomy and be more proactive in decision-making.
“Previously, we were dealing with girls who did not have options and were facing challenges of making choices even in situations that concerned them,” explained Otieno at the launch of the project’s evaluation report, Thursday.
“Despite their challenging backgrounds, they are now able to determine their lives’ outcomes thanks to their participation in the program,” she added.
Besides basic education, the girls are imparted with life skills and knowledge on their reproductive health.
ActionAid aims to transform the children’s lives through “transitional pathways” that include formal education, entrepreneurship, apprenticeship and vocational training.
The project has proven successful and has realised an 85 per cent transition rate with the most preferred pathways being apprenticeship (48%) and entrepreneurship (25%).
National Steering Committee Chair, Fred Haga, commended the program for its positive outcomes, expressing the government’s willingness to support future projects of EFL’s nature.
“EFL has done an exemplary job in promoting inclusive education and giving the girls a second chance. Upon its completion, it will certainly leave a legacy. Government is ready to work with NGOs that share its course and mission,” he added.
