Empowering girls in Ethiopia: The Impact of Cuso International’s U-GIRLS2 Project

Since 2020, Cuso International has been working to transform the lives of young girls in Ethiopia through its U-GIRLS2 project, an initiative promoting gender equity in education. At Gemharo Secondary School, a teacher and project coordinator Muluken Tesfaye said the project has made “substantial positive impacts.”  

“Female student’s class participation has increased. When we form groups in class, we make sure that there is equal participation,” said Muluken. “After being embraced by the Cuso project, students scored 80% and 90% average grades.”

“Before the Cuso International project was launched, my 9th grade average grade was 88%; after Cuso’s intervention it has increased to 93%,” said Nigist Mihiret, a student at Gembaro Secondary School.

“We took trainings in sexual and reproductive health, life skill and leadership,” said Nigist. “The life skill training had let me see where I am and find out my identity and my potential.”

The U-GIRLS2 project is designed to address the challenges faced by young girls in Ethiopia, such as early marriage and limited access to educational resources. These barriers often prevent girls from fully participating in education and realizing their potential. The project aims to improve their academic performance, nurture leadership skills, and equip them with essential social and soft skills.

For Muluken, the project has been a game-changer. “I first worked on gender awareness-raising initiatives supported by the school and on my own initiative. We did our best to raise awareness about gender equity, but we were not able to organize trainings that would strengthen our effort,” she explains.

Cuso International is here to fill the gap. Through a series of trainings, Cuso International has empowered teachers, parents, and educational institutions with the tools to create gender-responsive learning environments.

“Training has ensured gender equity and fairness in the school,” said Muluken. “It provided me with teaching methodology training. The training helped us improve our time management and efficiency as well as the way we teach.”

The impact of the U-GIRLS2 project extends beyond academics. Cuso International has also provided essential resources, such as blackboards, sanitary pads, and other educational materials, ensuring that girls have the support they need to thrive.

The impact has extended beyond the school and into the community. “Personally, even my perception of my wife has changed,” shared Melake-Selam Tegegn, a father of five. He has worked with Cuso International to improve other family’s understanding, encouraging them to send their daughters to school and provide them with equal opportunities.

“I’m doing my best to help my children become better individuals,” he added.

“The changes have been observed at our school, but the good practice should be scaled up in order to make a difference at the country level,” Muluken said.

To achieve this, it’s essential to expand these efforts to other schools and communities, with organizations like Cuso International playing a key role in providing training, resources, and support.

By collaborating with local educators and stakeholders, Cuso international can help ensure that these practices are consistently applied and embraced across the nation.