Axum, Ethiopia – July 7, 2024 – Initiative Africa (IA) has officially launched a project titled “Enabling Local Ingenuity through Catch-up and Life Skills for Young Girls in War-Affected Tigray.” Funded by the Malala Fund, this three-year initiative aims to address the critical educational and psychosocial needs of young girls impacted by the conflict in the Tigray region.

The launch event in Axum brought together key stakeholders, including education officials and representatives from Initiative Africa. The program began with opening remarks from a Tigray Region Education Bureau head, who emphasized the urgent need for accelerated learning programs (ALPs) to support young girls affected by the ongoing crisis. An introduction to Initiative Africa followed, along with a presentation on the project’s objectives and implementation strategies.

The project will engage 24 schools and reach 1,000 students across Tigray. It includes community-based and accelerated learning programs, basic literacy and numeracy training, life skills development, vocational training, and crucial mental health support. The initiative also advocates for policy changes that prioritize girls’ secondary education as a national priority. A formal agreement was signed on May 12, 2024, between Initiative Africa and the Tigray Regional Education Bureau, solidifying IA’s legal capacity to implement the project in the region.

During the event, participants engaged in a Q&A session, offering valuable suggestions and feedback on the ALP program. They highlighted the urgent need for school feeding programs, support for families, and infrastructure repairs due to the extensive damage caused by the conflict. Community engagement and economic support for mothers were also identified as critical factors for the project’s success.

The event concluded with small group planning sessions and closing remarks, followed by discussions involving school directors. These discussions provided insights into the challenges and opportunities for implementing the ALP program, including the need for teacher training, curriculum flexibility, and addressing psychosocial barriers.

Key recommendations from the workshop included comprehensive psychosocial support for children, families, and teachers, implementing an accelerated learning model tailored to the needs of war-affected students, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to develop effective educational recovery strategies.

The launch of this project marks a significant step towards rebuilding the education system in Tigray and empowering a generation of young girls with the skills and knowledge they need to contribute to their communities and beyond. Initiative Africa and the Malala Fund are committed to ensuring that these girls receive the support they need to overcome the challenges posed by the conflict and achieve their full potential.

For the full report: https://initiativeafrica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Malala-Launch-Report.pdf