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  • 15 January 2025

Tigray, Ethiopia: helping children stay in school

In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict at the end of 2020 resulted in a significant disruption to education. Approximately 2.4 million school-aged children were denied the right to education for 3 academic years, with 88% of school infrastructures damaged. Child protection risks escalated, exposing children to various harms and trauma. 

Following the peace talks, schools in Tigray reopened in May 2023. However, challenges such as poor school conditions, increased number of students with special needs, and reduced parental capacity to support their children's education continue to pose barriers for children to access education. 

According to the Tigray Regional Education Bureau, only 40% of school-aged children have enrolled in school since their reopening. Prolonged absence from school increases children’s vulnerability to various forms of violence, and the disruption in their education may lead to child labour, trapping them in a cycle of poverty. Their mental health deteriorates. 

This situation disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, particularly girls living in poor households or displaced communities, putting them at higher risks of exploitation, child marriage, and early pregnancy. Girls, in particular, face heightened risks when out of school. In Tigray, due to the closure of schools for so many years, adolescent female students enrolling often feel unsafe and uncomfortable attending school during their menstrual cycle. School toilets that are not gender-segregated lack doors, locks and privacy further exacerbate the difficulties faced by adolescent girls.

As a result of the project's assistance, Wegahta progressed in her studies, demonstrating high motivation and a keen interest in learning. She expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the importance of the MHM room in addressing menstrual hygiene needs and providing a platform for discussions on critical topics like early marriage, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH).

  • Story and photos by PLAN International

    Publication date: 15/01/2025