Objective

• Increased access and retention through enrolment and re-enrolment for dropout/out of school/displaced girls of secondary schools in formal and non-formal education.
• Strengthened local and national level advocacy to improve access, retention and quality for girls’ education.
• Establishing a girls-friendly learning environment to ensure quality education for girls in secondary education.

Project Summary

The ODOMMO project by JAAGO Foundation, funded by the Malala Fund, addresses the critical issue of girls’ access to education in Bangladesh. In many regions, girls face significant challenges that hinder their ability to attend and remain in school. Factors like poverty, gender discrimination, societal norms, and environmental hazards all contribute to girls dropping out of school.

The project’s primary goal is to ensure quality education for girls, particularly at the secondary level. To achieve this goal, the project employs various strategies. It seeks to strengthen relationships with local stakeholders, schools, and government authorities. It aims to change the knowledge and behaviour of local stakeholders towards girls’ education and improve the opportunities for girls who have dropped out or have been affected by environmental factors.

The project also aims to improve schools for girls and help parents see the importance of girls’ education. It raises awareness about the importance of girls’ education through advocacy at both the local and national levels. Moreover, it focuses on training teachers to create a more gender-sensitive classroom, equipping girls with the skills to advocate for their learning environment, and involving School Management Committees (SMC) to ensure a supportive and friendly atmosphere for girls in schools.

The impact group of the project includes girls aged up to 16 who have dropped out of school, are at risk of early marriage, have experienced gender-based violence, have children, have disabilities, belong to minority ethnic groups, or have been displaced due to environmental factors. In total, the project aims to benefit about 1584 girls directly, sensitise around 2800 households and 12,936 people, and engage government authorities and leaders in advocating for girls’ quality education at both the local and national levels.

Ultimately, the project’s ongoing efforts are geared towards creating a positive and lasting impact, ensuring that girls in these areas have access to quality education and a supportive learning environment and breaking down the barriers that have held them back.