Lobbyists have launched a campaign to mobilise African nations to increase education funding towards making it gender transformative and relevant for the 21st century.
The African Child, Bakhita Partnership for Education and the Jesuits of Africa unveiled a new initiative, aiming to engage African nations in a concerted effort to boost their investment in education.
The campaign which was launched on Tuesday in Nairobi emphasises the need to adapt educational systems to be more gender-responsive, transformative and forward-looking, ensuring they are aptly suited for the demands of the 21st century.
The campaign dubbed ‘the 21st Century African Girl' is calling on African governments and stakeholders in Education to prioritise the empowerment of its youth with skills relevant and sufficient to thrive in a manner that guarantees gender equity.
The education campaign has five distinct approaches to ensure maximum impact.
First is the "21st Century African Girl" initiative which aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls in accessing education in Africa.
According to Unesco, 98 million children are out of school in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over half of those being girls.
The campaign seeks tax exemption for sanitary products to improve girls' access to school by making these essential items more affordable and accessible.
It also advocates that at least 20 per cent of African countries' annual national budgets be allocated to the education sector.
The campaign also appeals for government action in marginalised areas and places of crisis.
It advocates for government intervention to extend educational opportunities to marginalized communities and areas affected by crises like poverty and wars, particularly in rural and peri-urban regions.
Additionally, the campaign seeks strategic crowdfunding for the Bakhita Partnership Foundation aimed at supporting marginalized children and enhancing educational infrastructure.
The launch comes in the wake of the groundbreaking decision by the African Union to adopt education as the AU Theme for 2024 with the rallying theme being “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”.
African Union Centre for Girls and Women Education Mme Simone Yankey-Ouattara said the future is female.
“So we need to unlock the continent’s potential by placing 21st Century Gender Transformative education at the heart of economic development by ensuring that every African learner is equipped for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century,” she said.
Jesuits Justice and Ecology Network Africa Director and Bakhita Partnership for Education Board Chairperson Fr. Charles Chilufya S.J said the initiative underscores a commitment to leveraging this pivotal year to advance education equity and empower girls and women across the continent.
"It is a testament to our dedication to ensuring that every girl receives quality education, prioritizing the most vulnerable and marginalized. We chose to unveil it today as we celebrate the World Social Justice Day. We urge all stakeholders to support this campaign by signing the petition on the Bakhita website (https://bakhitaafrica.org/),” he said.