ADDIS ABABA-The Inspiring Girls and Grassroots Networks for Inclusive and Transformative Education (IGNITE) launched a gender education project in five African countries including Ethiopia on Wednesday.
The project is to be implemented by the consortium comprising the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Urgent Action Fund and the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR).
Urgent Action Fund Africa Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Hiwot Tedla told The Ethiopian Herald that the project will be implemented in Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Nigeria where gender inequality puts women and girls’ lives at risk.
The project helps feminist Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to advance the education and empowerment of marginalized adolescent girls, using sustainable, local approaches to help change the social norms that prevent them from accessing inclusive and quality education, Hiwot added.
The project also seeks to promote gender equality education and stop violence against women and girls.
“The IGNITE project prioritizes inclusive funding, tailored capacity-building, and collaborative partnerships that truly value and nurture the expertise of grassroots organizations.”
The officer added, “Conflict and instability in different countries escalate gender-based violence. Thus, advancing adolescent girls’ education is fundamental to solve women’s challenges sustainably.”
Moreover, it is important to work on identifying the root causes of gender-based violence to transform the mindset of the community, she remarked.
It was learned that out of the 86 CSOs applications that were received from the five target countries, funding will be given to 60 qualified organizations to implement the project.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2024
