Examining the role of Girl Effect in contributing to positive education ideologies for girls in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Gendered cultural ideologies limit access to education for girls in Ethiopia. Practices like child marriage, a disproportionate work burden for girls, early pregnancy, and social isolation, inhibit the participation of female students in education. This qualitative study analyzes the influence of Girl Effect (a branding agency supported by international development organizations) in promoting pro-education ideologies for girls in Ethiopia. Document analysis of five data sources—including evaluation reports and audio-visual material—was the method used. The findings of the study demonstrate that Girl Effect used girl-centered research and advocacy to promote investment in girls and women. Moreover, this organization is innovative because it attempted to influence popular media through Yegna, a communication platform and youth-led movement, that presents the Ethiopian public with narratives that challenge existing power structures and encourage the empowerment of women. The Yegna communication platform relies on diverse methods of information delivery—including interactive talk shows, music, and toolkits for starting youth clubs.

KEYWORDS:

• Women
• gender
• Ethiopian higher education
• college-going cultures

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Meseret F. Hailu is a Ph.D. candidate in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. At Morgridge, she studies Higher Education. Her research interests are grounded in comparative international education, with a special emphasis on gender issues in STEM programs for women in the U.S. and Ethiopia.

ORCID

Meseret F. Hailu http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6080-0577