In addition to widespread poverty, complex barriers such as early marriage and teenage pregnancy, risky sexual behaviors, violence, and child labor impede girls’ access to education in Zambia. Compared to boys, out-of-school girls are exposed to increased risk of HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) and limited employment and economic prospects. To address these gender disparities, we are supporting the Government of Zambia to identify and support at-risk girls – both in school or out of school – with comprehensive, integrated social protection services that help them enroll and stay in school.
Innovations: We are designing an early warning prevention and response system to identify at-risk girls and avert school drop-out through proactive interventions while also identifying girls who are out-of-school and helping them enroll in formal or non-formal education pathways. This innovative model has proven successful in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Tanzania.