UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Chad is a landlocked country in West Africa that is home to approximately 8.1 million people. In recent decades, political instability has hindered economic and social development and detrimentally affected the situation of women and children.

Chad is experiencing a new era of peace, paving the way for the fulfilment of children's rights, and equitable enrolment and achievement in education.

Under the African Girls' Education Initiative, the Female Education Promotion Project (FEPP) links girls' achievement in primary education with policy development, supportive strategies in early childhood development, and adult literacy training. FEPP targets schools and out-of school girls aged between six and 14 years old and illiterate women between the ages of 15 and 45 living in prefectures in the north, centre and south of the country. Participation in educational activities for mothers in particular is made easier by on-site care for children aged between three and five years old.

The programme supports social mobilization at all levels of society. The acceptance of girls' education is encouraged through radio and audio-visual programmes and theatrical works in French, Arabic, and local languages. Communities are taking on full ownership and partnership in community schools. The programme also supports training of primary school teachers, pedagogical supervisors, non-formal education and literacy trainers, and animators of day care centres for young children. Gender issues are important topics covered in the training courses.