The education of over 11 million school going girls hangs in the balance as they are likely to remain home after the covid-19 pandemic, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This problem, if not dealt with, will worsen the plight of the already existing canker of high number of girls without access to education.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 33.3 million girls of primary and lower secondary school age are out of school.
This number rises to 52.2 million when taking into account girls of upper secondary school age, according to a UNESCO Institute for Statistics 2018 report.
Due to the high possibility of girls education being affected if the needed attention is not given, some stakeholders in education are demanding deliberate actions from African governments and decision makers to ensure equal access of education for every girl on the continent as the world marks International Day of the Girl Child.
African Youth Activists have joined UNESCO, the All-Africa Students Union and the 100 Million Campaign, through the “Girls Back to School Campaign” to push for inclusiveness and prioritization of girls to enjoy education to the highest level possible.
This year’s commemoration, under the theme, “My voice, our equal future”, is hinged on reimagining a world led and inspired by young girls.
