How We Work To Remove Barriers of Education – Volume 2, Episode 13: Women’s Global Education Project
In the rural village of Sokone, Senegal, where chronic poverty and deeply ingrained cultural norms stand as significant barriers to girls’ education, the Women’s Global Education Project is making a profound impact. Through their Sisters to School program, supported by a $10,000 grant from the Circle of Sisterhood in 2022, 50 adolescent girls have received comprehensive scholarships, mentoring, and essential health education. This initiative is not just about keeping girls in school—it’s about dismantling the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their full potential and building stronger, healthier communities in the process. Join us as we explore how this transformative program is empowering young women in Sokone to break free from cycles of poverty and inequality, and how you can be a part of this crucial work.
About Women’s Global Education Project
In rural Senegal, where poverty and cultural norms severely limit educational opportunities for girls, the Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP) is dedicated to creating lasting, systemic change. By focusing on holistic program interventions, WGEP is committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent adolescent girls from accessing quality education, especially in underserved regions. Their approach is comprehensive, addressing not only the financial hurdles but also the deeply ingrained societal norms that hinder girls’ education.
In 2022, the Circle of Sisterhood, a U.S.-based charity that supports global educational initiatives, provided a $10,000 grant to support WGEP’s Sisters to School program. This program is a beacon of hope for 50 adolescent girls in Senegal, offering them comprehensive school scholarships that cover fees, uniforms, meals, textbooks, and supplies. But the support doesn’t stop there. The Sisters to School program goes beyond academics, providing mentoring and health education workshops that equip these girls with the knowledge and tools to navigate challenges such as early marriage, pregnancy, and gender-based violence.
Moreover, the program actively involves the community through mobilization activities and parents’ meetings, working to shift societal attitudes in favor of girls’ education and gender equality. The impact of this program is profound: over 99% of WGEP scholars remain in school each year, and 60% of them qualify for university, a testament to the program’s success in transforming lives and futures.
The challenges these girls face are deeply rooted in the socio-economic fabric of rural Senegal. With 75% of families living in chronic poverty, earning less than $2 per day, education often becomes a privilege reserved for boys, while girls are expected to contribute to household chores and income generation. This economic hardship, combined with cultural biases that favor boys’ education, leads many girls to drop out of school early, often to become domestic workers. Despite laws mandating education until age 16, enforcement is weak, resulting in low attendance rates, especially at the secondary school level.
Girls also face significant health risks, including early pregnancy and gender-based violence, further complicating their educational journey. The lack of adequate school infrastructure and resources in these rural areas only exacerbates the problem. As a result, fewer than 1% of poor rural women complete secondary school, and only 8% proceed to tertiary education. These barriers not only limit the educational and professional potential of girls and women but also perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality across generations.
The Women’s Global Education Project is not just about keeping girls in school; it’s about empowering them to overcome these barriers and achieve their full potential. By providing critical resources and fostering community support, WGEP is helping to build stronger, healthier communities in Senegal, one educated girl at a time. The success of the Sisters to School program underscores the importance of continued support for initiatives that promote gender equality and educational access, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.