7 Inspiring Champions of Girls’ Education in Africa.

 

by Aaron Rakhetsi

Girls’ education is much more than just education, it is a transformation for the world. Girls’ education is a vital way of transforming lives, not just for the girl herself but for her family and community too, and for the world at large. 

Yet, according to UNICEF, 132 million girls are out of school globally, including 34.3 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67.4 million of upper-secondary school age. In countries affected by conflict, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school when compared to girls in peaceful areas.

 

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities globally, and this goes for education too. Around the world, some 1.5 billion learners have had their education disrupted by the pandemic — with schools for over 168 million children having remained closed for almost a whole year.

 

There are many factors that come into play when it comes to girls' education, poverty being a significant factor as it often determines whether a girl will have access to education and be able to finish her studies. Menstruation too keeps many girls out of school, due to a lack of access to sanitary towels meaning girls often miss school when on their periods. 

 

Having access to education also helps ensure a girl’s safety, with an out-of-school girl being much more susceptible to issues like child marriage, early pregnancy, and forced labor.

 

As Education Cannot Wait’s Madge Thomas told Global Citizen: “There’s also the importance of reaching kids with the services they need; whether it’s the things they normally get in school like mental health support, food and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.” 

 

Why Global Citizens Should Care

Access to education is a basic human right, and the United Nations’ Global Goal 4 works to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Join us here to ensure that girls all over the world can access a quality education, and help children get back to school amid COVID-19. 

 

Around the world, activists, organizations, and more are all working to make sure that can get to, and remain in, school. Here are just some of the remarkable women who are breaking barriers across Africa to help girls reach their full potential. 

 

1. Mamokgethi Phakeng 

Mamokgethi Phakeng is the second Black woman to be vice chancellor at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, after taking on the role in 2018. At the age of 16, she enrolled at the North West University, and in 2002 she became the first Black South African woman to obtain a PhD in mathematics education. 

In 2004, Phakeng established Adopt-A-Learner trust, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support and mentorship to learners from townships and rural areas, with the sole purpose of granting them the opportunity of getting a post-matric [further education] qualification. 

She has also established the Mamokgethi Phakeng Scholarship, which is funded by 10% of Phakeng’s personal monthly salary. The scholarship aims to empower Black women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

On her social media pages she’s always championing for making education accessible and engaging too. Through the #MakeEducationFashionable, she has created a movement for graduates to share their uplifting end of academic journey stories and inspire people to follow suit. 

 

2. Peace Ayo

Ayo is an education activist from Nigeria. Growing up in Nigeria, she saw many children not being afforded the same opportunities that she had, nor getting the support from their parents to pursue their education that she received from hers.

Of the world’s out-of-school children, 1 in every 5 live in Nigeria — and girls face even greater obstacles in accessing school, such as child marriage, poverty, and gender discrimination, accounting for 60% of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.

So at just the age of 15, Ayo, alongside her father, co-founded Youth Advocate for Sustainable Development, with the aim of addressing the obstacles that keep girls in Nigeria out of school

The organization works with parents to make them aware of the importance of education in their children's lives and to eliminate gender biases. They also advocate for making sanitary towels free, and providing girls who are out of school with scholarships. 

 

3. Qabale Duba

The 2019 Waislitz Global Citizens’ Choice Award winner, Qabale Duba, uses education as a way to empower women and girls in Marsabit County in northern Kenya. Growing up she was forced to undergo FGM and was enaged to be married, but her passion and support from her mother made her determined to finish school. 

Duba went on to found the Qabale Duba Foundation, a community-based organization that champions the rights of women and girls. In 2017, they started a community literacy program, to teach women how to write and read. 

During that program they also educated women on their sexual reproductive health and rights and the importance of economic empowerment. In 2018, they started Torbi Pioneer Academy, to help with children whose parents cannot afford to educate them, where they currently have 68 children in their nursery school.

 

4. Noushka Teixeira

Noushka Teixeira is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but she was forced to leave her country as a child because of conflict. Upon her return to Congo in 2004, she witnessed a high number of children in the streets of her native city Kinshasa. When she saw girls pregnant as young as 10, she decided it was high time she did something to help the situation. 

In 2010, Teixeira opened Matumaini Centre, a place where young girls are kept off the streets and are able to receive education and a safe home. Matumaini Centre also helps with reintegration of children living on the streets into the community.

The centre's shelter, which opened in September 2011, is currently home and school to 34 girls aged between five and 16.

 

5. Nomzamo Mbatha

Nomzamo Mbatha is a South African actress, businesswoman, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. In 2018, she completed her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town after she had dropped out in 2012 due to financial reasons, but returned determined to finish her education. 

In February 2020, Mbatha joined forces with the Cotton On Foundation, becoming an ambassador for the foundation, which delivers education projects for children in South Africa, Uganda, Thailand, and Australia. 

Meanwhile, through her initiative The Lighthouse Foundation, Mbatha also put R1 million (about $65,400) towards helping children pay for school and school supplies, through a partnership with Hollywood Bets, earlier this year. The money donated is to help provide bursaries to students who need financial help for tertiary education. She further pledged to donate school supplies to schools across the country. 

 

6. Zuriel Oduwole

Nigerian-American filmmaker and activist Zuriel Oduwole began her work as an activist while she was still in school, inspired after creating a documentary for a school competition. 

At the age of just 10, in 2013, she launched her “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up” campaign with the purpose of getting more African girls into school — and was highlighted by Forbes magazine the same year. At the age of 12, she featured on a list of “33 Women Who Changed the World” by Elle Magazine, and at 14, she was honored by US Secretary of State John Kerry. 

As well as her work on education, she also focuses on climate change, and how climate change will impact the future of girls’ education — including speaking on the topic in front of world leaders at the COP23 climate summit.

 

7. Bonang Matheba 

Businesswoman and human rights activist Bonang Matheba has always celebrated the importance of girls' education. In 2017, Matheba launched her Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund, providing bursaries to 10 girls who wanted to pursue tertiary studies in South Africa. 

As part of the campaign leading up to Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, hosted in Johannesburg in 2018, Matheba joined Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Global Citizens in calling for the South African government to invest in improving menstrual health for learners. In late October, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni eliminated taxes on menstrual health products, and promised to ensure girls’ access to sanitary pads in school. 

 

Read orginal article at Global Citizen.

.

Share

Comments

  • RobertRer2025-06-06 21:22:06

    Сайт знакомств https://rutiti.ru для серьёзных отношений, дружбы и общения. Реальные анкеты, удобный поиск, быстрый старт. Встречайте новых людей, находите свою любовь и начинайте общение уже сегодня.

    Sidneycet2025-06-06 20:34:31

    Дом из контейнера https://russiahelp.com под ключ — мобильное, экологичное и бюджетное жильё. Индивидуальные проекты, внутренняя отделка, электрика, сантехника и монтаж

    RafaelFut2025-06-06 16:37:27

    Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia tolerate concurrent treatment plans including walmart viagra price. One step forward brings you closer to true confidence.

    JamesBer2025-06-04 14:43:50

    resume data engineer resume for engineering students freshers

    Donnievep2025-06-04 10:08:56

    аккаунты стим с играми бесплатно t.me/s/Burger_Game

    Curtisfed2025-06-04 03:05:43

    Мир полон тайн https://phenoma.ru читайте статьи о малоизученных феноменах, которые ставят науку в тупик. Аномальные явления, редкие болезни, загадки космоса и сознания. Доступно, интересно, с научным подходом.

    DavidGussy2025-06-03 19:15:18

    Найти мастера по ремонту холодильников в Николаеве вы можете по ссылке

    JosephSlarp2025-06-02 23:24:44

    Generate custom ai hentai. Create anime-style characters, scenes, and fantasy visuals instantly using an advanced hentai generator online.

    icyje2025-06-02 11:44:18

    purchase modafinil online cheap modafinil order online provigil 200mg over the counter order provigil 200mg online cheap provigil 200mg cheap buy provigil without a prescription buy generic modafinil

    DraphoK2025-06-02 09:44:04

    vilitra 10

    Lindabor2025-05-19 20:01:49

    Evidence-based protocols encourage stepwise treatment escalation involving buy viagra. Private delivery of affordable, trusted support.

    Nilove2025-05-18 21:43:17

    oral valtrex - valtrex 1000mg oral diflucan 200mg tablet

    Fziujs2025-05-17 16:13:57

    cost ondansetron 4mg - buy simvastatin cheap buy zocor 20mg generic

    USAbor2025-04-30 13:08:59

    Alan feared it was too late for love again, but things changed with tadalafil boots. Get the strength you need without overspending.

    Ykbxur2025-04-30 11:24:00

    order mobic pill - celecoxib over the counter flomax for sale

    Fycyfk2025-04-25 16:50:16

    order nexium 40mg online cheap - purchase esomeprazole generic buy imitrex 50mg online cheap

    Ubwrlh2025-04-24 14:07:33

    order levaquin pill - levofloxacin sale order ranitidine 300mg generic

    Dptsud2025-04-20 16:22:13

    purchase coumadin pills - buy reglan 20mg without prescription order generic cozaar

    Eyubpk2025-04-17 21:56:45

    propranolol tablet - buy clopidogrel online order methotrexate 2.5mg online

    Dggjzf2025-04-16 07:30:44

    buy domperidone 10mg for sale - buy flexeril no prescription flexeril 15mg generic

    Annhmr2025-04-09 03:04:48

    domperidone 10mg oral - order flexeril pill brand cyclobenzaprine

    Xethag2025-04-06 11:37:21

    order acyclovir 400mg - purchase allopurinol buy crestor generic

    Hrucyp2025-03-31 13:31:14

    buy cytotec tablets - order diltiazem generic buy generic diltiazem

    Tdwcvl2025-03-29 23:06:18

    purchase clarinex pill - loratadine sale priligy 30mg sale

    RuslanIcope2025-03-29 16:09:37

    Great post! You have an incredible knack for making thought-provoking ideas feel approachable. I’d love to see you delve into how these topics intersect with cultural shifts or advancements in biotech. The bigger-picture applications would make for a tr

    Xqaipl2025-03-27 17:30:59

    buy medrol cheap - methylprednisolone australia buy triamcinolone online

    Mxdayq2025-03-21 22:26:13

    generic prilosec 10mg - order metoprolol pills cost atenolol

    Imytdl2025-03-18 05:04:13

    atorvastatin 40mg pill - buy atorvastatin 20mg online buy generic zestril 2.5mg

    Yglway2025-03-17 13:04:11

    order atorvastatin generic - purchase atorvastatin pill buy prinivil pill

    Rqptbs2025-03-17 05:03:00

    order cenforce 50mg generic - glucophage uk order metformin 500mg online cheap

    Mzrvzu2025-03-15 14:19:38

    buy lipitor 20mg generic - order amlodipine 5mg pills buy generic lisinopril online

    Hkcwbh2025-03-09 00:24:58

    brand sildenafil 100mg - viagra 100mg sale cialis 20 mg price

    Yhtydq2025-03-07 01:55:57

    generic cialis 40mg - cheap sildenafil sale sildenafil tablet

    Wmuuli2025-02-25 22:32:57

    buy rybelsus 14 mg pills - buy cyproheptadine generic buy periactin 4mg generic

    Sjzupq2025-02-24 04:52:02

    buy amoxiclav for sale - order augmentin 625mg for sale oral duloxetine 40mg

    Fjymmx2025-02-17 09:49:27

    buy acticlate online cheap - glipizide 5mg usa buy glipizide cheap

    Ooxmqj2025-02-15 15:42:24

    how to buy clavulanate - oral cymbalta buy cymbalta online

    Rtyfry2025-02-10 13:50:10

    neurontin 600mg sale - generic gabapentin order itraconazole 100 mg pills

    Usrloo2025-02-10 13:18:31

    buy lasix 100mg - lasix 40mg pill brand betamethasone

    Zxzvzz2025-02-02 05:35:51

    order generic zithromax - order tinidazole 300mg online order nebivolol 5mg pill

    Kwulap2025-01-19 16:14:56

    cheap amoxicillin generic - buy ipratropium generic generic combivent

    Zikapx2025-01-18 23:08:00

    buy accutane generic - oral isotretinoin 10mg zyvox usa

    Ralynz2024-12-20 17:23:35

    order promethazine 25mg pills - lincomycin pill buy lincocin

    Owooqc2024-12-19 21:05:51

    cost of ivermectin - ivermectin cost in usa purchase carbamazepine for sale

    Rzkxpt2024-12-14 14:34:11

    cost modafinil - duricef 250mg pills purchase lamivudine generic

    Ccahab2024-12-11 13:32:53

    valif council - buy secnidazole online purchase sinemet online

    Lbjqyq2024-12-08 13:41:38

    indinavir price - how to buy voltaren gel buy diclofenac gel online cheap

    Ovtzln2024-12-02 16:44:48

    eriacta village - sildigra lawn forzest acquaint

    Vpyzdg2024-11-30 17:03:09

    プレドニン 薬局で買える - アキュテイン 個人輸入 おすすめ アキュテイン 個人輸入 おすすめ

    Rbdzwn2024-11-22 13:08:40

    プレドニン は通販での購 - プレドニン通販 安全 ジスロマック どこで買える

    Rgbygm2024-11-15 22:36:43

    buy estrace paypal - buy estradiol 2mg without prescription buy anastrozole 1 mg sale

    Clqiji2024-11-15 21:26:59

    dostinex for sale online - buy cabgolin sale buy alesse medication

    Bntkac2024-11-09 14:43:30

    buy norethindrone no prescription - lumigan drug order yasmin

    Oqgnxa2024-11-08 18:01:01

    buy fosamax 35mg for sale - cheap alendronate order medroxyprogesterone 10mg online cheap

    Kosgjo2024-11-03 18:07:15

    buy progesterone medication - ponstel cheap clomiphene tablets

    Jsweyj2024-11-02 16:37:12

    buy capecitabine no prescription - naproxen 250mg drug order danocrine 100mg sale

    Blortg2024-10-29 10:13:27

    zyban 150mg drug - order ayurslim for sale cheap shuddha guggulu generic

    Eqcjrd2024-10-28 06:10:06

    how to buy provigil - promethazine 25mg without prescription purchase melatonin without prescription

    Tjgrzo2024-10-24 17:55:05

    order eurax for sale - purchase aczone pills aczone gel

    Flglyf2024-10-22 01:34:57

    generic losartan - cephalexin 125mg over the counter buy cheap generic cephalexin

    Jvizbh2024-10-19 17:54:20

    buy cleocin no prescription - order indomethacin 75mg sale order indocin online cheap

    Wqfxzm2024-10-16 17:45:18

    augmentin 1000mg price - buy synthroid cheap levothyroxine without prescription

    Uyuohh2024-10-12 13:46:15

    flagyl 200mg tablet - order generic cenforce cenforce 100mg brand

    Cghcjc2024-10-10 21:58:12

    buy betamethasone 20gm online - purchase adapalene without prescription order benoquin generic

    Hgkzza2024-10-08 02:37:25

    where can i buy permethrin - purchase benzoyl peroxide without prescription brand retin cream

    Sqkqyn2024-10-05 04:49:30

    buy deltasone 10mg pill - prednisolone pill permethrin cream

    Fstife2024-10-03 06:54:42

    cost accutane 40mg - cost accutane 10mg buy deltasone 10mg online cheap

    Sapnwa2024-09-30 22:10:00

    buy cheap cefdinir - buy cleocin generic

    Bandae2024-09-23 19:05:24

    cyproheptadine pill - buy cyproheptadine 4mg sale tizanidine online buy

    Oawbkb2024-09-22 15:14:16

    mobic sale - order generic mobic 15mg toradol online buy

    Ypjnkt2024-09-18 06:26:09

    where to buy ozobax without a prescription - feldene over the counter piroxicam for sale

    Tzynhs2024-09-16 19:15:49

    buy voveran generic - buy isosorbide 20mg pill nimodipine generic

    Ydkggy2024-09-12 09:05:07

    buy generic pyridostigmine over the counter - cheap sumatriptan buy azathioprine generic

    Nxerxw2024-09-09 22:34:40

    rumalaya pill - amitriptyline ca endep 10mg ca

    Kcycux2024-09-06 00:33:48

    voltaren 100mg for sale - where can i buy aspirin aspirin for sale online

    Tkhbwq2024-09-01 00:04:02

    buy colospa 135mg generic - colospa generic buy cilostazol sale

    Nphsfe2024-08-29 15:43:07

    buy celecoxib sale - buy celebrex 100mg sale buy indomethacin 50mg pill

    Gqmpad2024-08-26 19:58:20

    benemid 500mg canada - benemid cheap tegretol 200mg over the counter

    Dqlbum2024-08-24 02:04:01

    buy generic neurontin 100mg - order sulfasalazine 500mg for sale order sulfasalazine 500 mg

    Qcbexs2024-08-05 11:25:47

    lasuna usa - buy cheap generic lasuna buy himcolin sale

    Pedroevilm2024-04-24 16:13:27

    mexico drug stores pharmacies: Mexican Pharmacy Online - mexican mail order pharmacies

    Robertvup2024-03-19 01:45:11

    Best cucmber ever cucumber

Post Comment