UNICEF campaign to get girls into school

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is launching a campaign to boost the enrolment of girls at schools in five of Ethiopia’s poorest regions. The aim is to have the same numbers of girls in schools as boys within three years. Currently a fifth more boys than girls go to school in Ethiopia. “We must work together to become stronger advocates for an increased public demand for girls' education,” said Ethiopia's UNICEF head, David Bassiouni. He said it was vital to tap women’s associations and other groups to promote schooling for girls. UNICEF is developing strategies with the Ethiopian education ministry to get girls into school. It is organising a workshop with educationalists aimed at overcoming the hurdles that prevent girls attending schools. These include domestic chores and early marriages. The campaign will target the regions of Gambela, Benishangul, Oromiya, the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region and Amhara.