Liberian girls are in a particularly underprivileged position

Liberian girls are in a particularly underprivileged position. Primary education is now free and compulsory, thanks largely to the work of the country's president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Africa’s first elected female head of state, who entered office in 2005). But many girls end up dropping out to help with the family or earn money doing odd jobs. Reports show girls continue to face discrimination, family pressure and sexual violence. Many are forced into early marriages. The country has a 58% illiteracy rate among women, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Regardless of intentions, Liberia’s government is too scrapped for cash to provide students with the necessary resources. Besides books, schools often lack windows and electricity. Universities are hardly better. In 2008, when Ms Ward visited the chemistry department at the Liberian State University, she found one textbook. Today her organisation funds scholarships in science—in honour of her father, a chemistry professor at the university who was shot by a rebel in 1990. But most of her work is about offering elementary education to Liberian girls.

For more on the story see

http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/places/luiza-oleszczuk/girl-stories

Katherine Evans

Director, Civil Society Division

IREX

2121 K St. NW, Suite 700 | Washington, DC 20037|(202-628-8188 x105 |* kevans@irex.org |

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