NAIROBI, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's ministry of education and partners on Tuesday launched an initiative to boost school enrollment among girls in marginalized counties who bear the brunt of illiteracy linked to poverty and harmful cultural practices.
Amina Mohamed, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Education said the five-year Leave No Girl Child Behind initiative aims to achieve gender parity in school enrollment in remote parts of the country.
"The Kenyan government recognizes that education for girls is not an option; it is a strategic development priority and we have put in place an appropriate legislative and policy framework to ensure no girl misses out on education," said Mohamed.
Mohamed said the initiative that aims to benefit 342,000 girls in 19 marginalized counties will be a game changer in the quest to achieve sustainable development goal on gender parity in education.
Kenya is among sub-Saharan African countries that have made progress in girl child school enrollment through enactment of affirmative action policies and robust campaigns targeting marginalized communities.
Mohamed noted that introduction of free primary education coupled with other incentives like provision of free meals and sanitary pads has boosted school enrollment among girls in remote counties.
She said that enactment of laws that criminalize harmful cultural practices like early marriage and female genital cut that are rampant in marginalized regions, has ensured that more girls attain basic education. Enditem
