Friday 11 October was declared for its second year running, International Day of the Girl Child which this year focused on “Innovating for Girls’ Education”.
There is also overwhelming evidence that girls’ education, is a powerful transformative force for societies and girls themselves, from reductions in mortality and fertility, to poverty reduction and equitable growth, to social norm change and democratization.
Many girls remain marginalized from education
While there has been significant progress in improving girls’ access to education over the last two decades, many girls, particularly the most marginalized, continue to be deprived of this basic right. Even when girls are in school, perceived low returns from poor quality of education, low aspirations, or household chores and other responsibilities keep them from attending school or from achieving adequate learning outcomes.
Innovating for Girls' Education through school feeding
One innovation which has been proven to increase pupil enrolment; helping to get girls into school and keep them there is school feeding programmes. Not only are children encouraged to go and stay in school, but appropriately designed programmes have been shown to increase access to education and learning, by improving children’s health and nutrition. These improvements are especially realised when integrated into comprehensive school health and nutrition (SHN) programmes.
Further Information
Selected School Feeding Resources
