Context
According to UNESCO in 2018, more than 4 out of 10 girls of lower secondary school age (post-primary) are not in school in Burkina Faso. In addition to accessibility problems, the education system faces difficulties not only to keep children in school but also to enable them to complete the school cycle: the completion rate of lower secondary was 39% in 2019 and the success rate for the end-of-cycle exam: first cycle study certificate (BEPC) was estimated at 43.1%, including 38.5% for girls in 2018.
A study carried out by the Ministry of Education in 2019 evokes as the main obstacles to girls' access, retention and success in school:
- Sociocultural factors such as the preference for schooling for boys (at least 1 in 10 Burkinabè thinks that the education of boys should be given priority), child marriage, domestic overload of children ...
- Economic factors as the costs associated with schooling children in college are often 3 to 5 times higher than in primary school, their schooling involves sacrifices to be made and the choice is generally made to the detriment of the girl.
Supported project
In 2019-2020, the L'OCCITANE Foundation supports UNICEF's* project, which aims to promote access, completion and academic success for 450 girls in the Center-West region of Burkina Faso, identified with regard to the low incomes and precarious living conditions of their parents, through a holistic package of interventions, targeting girls as well as parents and teachers.
This project is based on the promotion of "Child for Child" strategies, community participation and incentive measures to enable these 450 girls to evolve in a secure way in educational structures and to increase their school success rates.
Some figures
This project aims to support a class of 450 girls from year 7 to year 10 (4 years) in the Center-West region of Burkina Faso. The advancement rate of young girls supported in year 9 was 68% .
Budget 150,000 euros
Result 68% advancement rate
Partnership history
Project supported since 2017
UNICEF's project to promote girls' education has been supported by the L'OCCITANE Foundation since 2017. Its main objective is to promote access, attendance and completion of the secondary school cycle (6th to 9th grade) for girls.
