The Challenge
Why girls leave school before the finish line
Evidence, context, and the financial barriers Giving Forward is designed to address.
Even where tuition is free or subsidized, families may still face recurring expenses for transportation, uniforms, books, supplies, examinations, digital access, and other school-related needs. When household income is limited or unpredictable, continuing education can become difficult.
Financial pressures often become more significant as students progress into secondary and higher-secondary education. Schools may be farther from home, transportation may cost more, and families may weigh education against work, caregiving responsibilities, or early marriage.
Girls’ education can be affected by several interconnected factors, including poverty, unpaid household work, safety, sanitation, transportation, social expectations, and marriage. Giving Forward will initially study whether modest, predictable assistance can reduce some of the financial pressure contributing to these decisions.