Canada approved CFA2 billion ($3 million) to support the “for every girl, the right to education” program initiated by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The project targets more than 32,000 girls aged between 10 and 18, over a 2-year period. It will be implemented in the district of Abidjan and the region of Tonkpi (in the country’s western part).  

According to the UN body, the program will provide structural support for a better response to the education needs of girls in emergencies, and offer technical and vocational training in non-traditional areas for girls. UNICEF wants to create a participatory approach that will involve communities and has already set up a system called ‘Eductrack’ to share information on school performances as well as the absences of students and teachers via mobile phones.

“Our partnership with UNICEF and the Government of Côte d'Ivoire aims to promote the retention of girls in school through inclusive and quality education. Investing in girls' education remains one of the most effective and equitable ways to accelerate a country's development,” Canada's Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Julie Shouldice, said.

According to official figures, in Côte d'Ivoire, more than one in four girls do not attend primary school. At the secondary school level, only 25% of girls complete their schooling compared to 31% of boys.

André Chadrak