ICEDA Project

Project: Strengthening girls’ access to education through reducing violence and harmful traditional practices

Location: Dukem 2, Ethiopia

Duration: 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2012

Partner: Integrated Community Education and Development Association (ICEDA)

The situation

In the small town of Dukem, almost all girls will be circumcised and 90% married before they are 18 years old. Girls are more likely to be removed from school earlier than boys to help with domestic chores or earn a living to support their families. Women’s roles are confined to the domestic arena and many parents do not see the value of sending girls to school.

Also, schools are not always safe. Girls may be raped or abducted and as parents try to keep their children safe, they are likely to keep them out of school. Therefore, many girls do not continue with their education and the primary education enrolment rate is very low. Without an education, girls will live in poverty and more violence.

What Womankind is doing

Womankind is supporting ICEDA to work in 2 schools raising awareness amongst students, teachers and parents on harmful traditional practices so that girls can remain in school.

• Providing 1,000 girls with tutorials and information on harmful traditional practices
• Working with 30 community leaders and teachers so that they can support girls to stay in school and report incidence of violence to the police
• Supporting over 1,000 girls to run a community shop so that they can raise money for school uniforms and supplies
• Raising awareness of over 10,000 community members on harmful traditional practices and the value of girls’ education

What we have achieved so far

• For the first time in years, the number of female students at Dukem Junior School is higher than that of boys. There are 1,048 boys and 1,107 girls in the school.
• In 2009, 6.4% of girls at Dukem Junior School did not return to school, in 2010 this was reduced to 2.3%.

Women’s voices

Dukem Junior School Director, Tola Mengistu, talks about some of the changes already achieved through working with ICEDA, “Female students are being retained in school. Last year, 6.4% of girls did not return to school, this year this was reduced to 2.3%. Many parents now understand the benefits of keeping girls in school because of the community meetings that we have been holding” (Tola Mengistu, 2010)

Changing attitudes through drama – the girls club for 14 to 16 year olds already initiated in the school raises awareness at the school and within the community of the challenges girls face.  They address traditional issues and other practices at the family and community level that may prevent girls from accessing quality education.

“We would like to teach our society about the problems which we face.  People should understand about girls’ rights and they should treat boys and girls equally. At school we openly discuss with our parents if they see this drama, especially around the traditional values which are difficult for our parents to talk about.” Musina, school girl