Send Girls Back to School in Ethiopia

Most countries around the world closed their schools in response to the pandemic at some point. While closing classrooms has affected all students, the long-term impact is particularly hard for girls.

The Malala Fund estimates that as a result of the pandemic, 20 million girls in lower income countries may never return to the classroom.

As the US slowly reopens, Ethiopia still waits for largescale access to COVID vaccines. So far, approximately 1.6 million people in Ethiopia have been vaccinated out of a total population of 112 million. The country- and its people- have a long journey ahead.

For adolescent girls, this means navigating more than the health risks of the pandemic. The Malala Fund estimates that as a result of the pandemic, 20 million girls in lower income countries may never return to the classroom. For these girls, they may be working, taking care of younger siblings, or married themselves.

As we continue to help families stay safe from COVID, we keep our focus on the health, rights, happiness, and potential of adolescent girls. We made sure that all the girls in our program started school again this spring- and are ensuring that they have a smooth transition. We’re continuing to have meaningful conversations with families to ensure that they understand the need to support their girls during this transition. provide families with increased food and household items so that they do not need to turn to their girls for support.  

Everyone deserves a return to normalcy after such a hard year, including schoolgirls in Ethiopia. Thank you for ensuring that the pandemic only paused, but did not end, their days at school.