Motorbike taxis in drive to get girls into school

As Beninese school-children begin their annual break, the country’s iconic motorbike taxis, or “Zemidjans”, are joining a national drive to get all girls into school. Right across the tiny West African nation, posters are going up proclaiming “All girls in school” and “Zemidjan” drivers wearing bright yellow shirts featuring the same slogan on the back are hammering home the same message to each and every passenger they pick up. “It’s our duty to raise awareness among our sisters, our mothers, and the market women who don’t understand how important it is to education their girl children,” Zemidjan driver Robert Kakpo told IRIN. “Such women are our main customers,” said Kakpo, one of the tens of thousands of motorbike taxi-men crowding Cotonou’s busy streets. “Given everyone’s on holidays it’s the ideal time to convince them about how important this is.” Some 5,000 Zemidjan drivers have signed up to take part in the six-month campaign, receiving training as well as the bright new shirt. In a country where 52 percent of the population of 7.5 million are women, the number of girls in school has risen dramatically from 36 percent in 1990 to 84 percent in 2005, but authorities say that is simply not enough. “There is too much disparity,” said Colette Houeto, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education. “Some 21 percent more boys go to school than girls.” Philippe Duamelle of the UN children’s agency UNICEF, one of the sponsors of the campaign, said educating women was essential for public health and a means of alleviating poverty. “Educated girls play a bigger role in developing their families, their community and the nation,” he said. “It’s regrettable that one in three girls in Benin is still not in school.” sda/ccr/ss