The Issue
The issue
In Ethiopia, gender norms prevent girls from completing their education. Families do not encourage girls to attend school and place an unfair responsibility on them to handle household chores, like fetching water or farming, which cuts into their study time or forces them to abandon their education. Girls also drop out of school to start working so they can contribute to household expenses. Gender-based violence, early marriage, teenage pregnancy and lack of gender-sensitive learning environments also contribute to the limited number of girls completing their secondary education.
Getaalem’s approach
Policy ReformIn 1995, Getaalem co-founded the youth club Hiwot Ethiopia to address the effects of the HIV/AIDS crisis and engage men and boys in conversations on sexual and reproductive health. Under Getaalem’s leadership, the organisation has evolved into a leading national authority on youth issues, particularly in the role that men and boys play in breaking down harmful gender norms and advocating for girls’ and women’s rights. Getaalem began advocating for girls’ education when he recognised that girls going to school leads to improved public health.
With his Malala Fund grant, Getaalem will work with Hiwot Ethiopia to promote gender equality and end gender-based violence through radio programmes, advocacy workshops, community outreach and social media.
More about Getaalem
There are 7 other Education Champions working in Ethiopia.
