Getting girls into schools is increasingly becoming one of the burning issues in Ethiopia. At national level, 50% of school age girls don't have access to primary schools, which is very low compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries. Even those girls who have the chance to join primary schools at some stage drop out or repeat because of economic or cultural reasons.

During the last years, we supported the Ministry of Education, in partnership with UK's Active Learning Centre, to improve girls' enrolment and to reduce their poor performance and repeat and drop out rates in primary schools. About 120 trainers in four regions (Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Ethiopia and Oromia) were trained in adult education skills, techniques for changing attitudes, and managing and monitoring gender performance.

Similarly in 2007, we trained about 60 trainers in two regions (Benishangul-Gumuz and Somali) where gender gaps are large.

This group of trainers delivered awareness creating training to education officials, head teachers, primary school teachers, parents and community leaders in their respective places.

The second Ethiopia's Education Sector Development Programme sets as its overall goal the achievement of universal primary education by the year 2015. Gender equity is therefore essential if this target is to be reached.

In order to increase the impact of our interventions, there is an intention to expand the pilot training in selected regions where gender gaps are very large. We are currently seeking funds from donors.

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