Why Tertiary and University Education Is Critical for Girls in AfricaWhat is University and Tertiary Education?Tertiary education, also known as post-secondary or higher education, is the level of study that follows the completion of secondary school. It includes universities, polytechnics, vocational and technical schools, and teacher-training colleges that grant certificates, diplomas, and degrees. For girls in Africa, this stage of education is not only about academic qualifications but also a gateway to leadership, economic empowerment, and social transformation. Benefits of Higher Education for GirlsAcademic education provides broad-based knowledge and equips women with the ability to question, analyse, and innovate. Key benefits include:
Benefits of Vocational Skills Education for Girls Source: Essence Magazine Not all students pursue traditional academic degrees. Vocational education focuses on equipping women with practical, employment-ready skills that align with labour market needs. Advantages include:
Status of Tertiary and Higher Education in AfricaDespite progress, challenges remain. The gender parity index (GPI) for tertiary education in Africa was 0.71 in 2019, but has improved in some countries to near parity by 2023. In fact, female enrolment now exceeds male enrolment in a few African countries. Still, barriers persist:
Is the Situation Improving?Yes, efforts are underway to close the gender gap. Affirmative action policies in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa are increasing female enrolment. Scholarship programs such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provide comprehensive support for disadvantaged African students. Gender-responsive pedagogy is gaining momentum, integrating feminist perspectives, anti-GBV training, and women’s leadership development into tertiary education.  Source: Fierce Education Transforming Africa's Tertiary and Higher EducationAfrica’s tertiary education system has long faced barriers, ranging from inadequate funding and limited infrastructure to socio-cultural restrictions that disproportionately affect women. Yet, change is possible through collective support, policy innovation, and grassroots initiatives. Expanding access requires more than just building institutions; it demands creating inclusive systems that allow women and marginalised groups to thrive. One important avenue of transformation is through supporting organisations and foundations that work to bridge the gap in higher education. NGOs such as the Mastercard Foundation, CAMFED, and SaGG Foundation have already demonstrated how scholarships, mentoring, and support services can empower girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher studies. Equally crucial is advocating for investment from governments and the private sector, ensuring that funding keeps pace with Africa’s rapidly growing youth population. Source: Mastercard Foundation At the same time, improving the quality and relevance of education is key. Universities must align curricula with labour market needs, integrate digital and entrepreneurial skills, and support faculty development to prepare graduates for the modern economy. Encouraging female-led research and innovation will further strengthen Africa’s ability to tackle pressing challenges such as climate change, healthcare inequalities, and the adoption of artificial intelligence for local solutions. Ultimately, leveraging technology through online learning, mobile platforms, and blended classrooms can bridge the rural–urban divide and make higher education more inclusive. Support a Gambian Girl Foundation (SaGG)Grassroots organisations remain at the heart of sustainable change in Africa’s education system. Since its establishment in 2019, the Support a Gambian Girl Foundation (SaGG) has been working to transform the lives of Gambian girls by providing scholarships, mentoring, and resources that enable them to continue their studies despite economic and cultural barriers. The foundation’s work goes beyond individual students. By promoting gender equality and leadership opportunities, SaGG contributes to breaking cycles of poverty that affect entire families and communities. Educated women are more likely to reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their households, and girls who stay in school are less likely to marry early and more likely to raise healthier children. Graduation of Our First University StudentBREAKING BARRIERS: THIS IS FATOU! Fatou's journey is a story of determination and perseverance. Despite financial struggles and a lack of support for her university fees, she pursued her dream and earned admission. After four years of relentless effort, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. An internship as a data analyst further equipped her with practical skills, opening doors for a promising career. As the first in her family to earn a degree, Fatou's achievement is a true testament to hard work and ambition. Click to Watch Fatou's Story Call to ActionAfrica’s higher education system is evolving, but girls still need champions. The Support a Gambian Girl Foundation (SaGG) is one such champion, breaking barriers and giving Gambian girls the chance to complete higher education. By supporting SaGG, you directly invest in scholarships, mentoring, and resources that provide young women with the opportunity to thrive. You can:
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Protecting Girls from Child Labour and Exploitation – A Call to Action for AfricaAccording to the latest estimates, around 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, of which 54 million were in hazardous work. Despite a decline since 2020, sub-Saharan Africa still carries the highest burden, with roughly 87 million children affected. For girls, the risks are especially severe: they are more likely than boys to face sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and domestic servitude. When families cannot cover the costs of schooling, many girls are forced into exploitative work. For example, after U.S. restrictions on Bangladeshi textiles made with child labour, thousands of girls were pushed into prostitution, begging, or unsafe jobs rather than returning to school.  Source: UNICEF Legally, economic exploitation is defined as “unfairly taking advantage of another person’s vulnerability, by grossly underpaying them for their work compared to market rates” Girls’ vulnerability is amplified by poverty, cultural norms, and weak labour protections, leaving them disproportionately at risk. Child Labour and Economic Exploitation: How They IntertwineChild labour and economic exploitation are two sides of the same coin. At the heart of both issues lies poverty. Families struggling to meet their most basic needs often see no choice but to send their children to work, whether in fields, mines, or sweatshops. For many, this decision is driven not by neglect but by necessity, a way to put food on the table when survival is on the line. Source: ECLT Foundation A powerful example of this comes from Bolivia, where child labour is deeply woven into social and economic life. In a New York Times documentary, Dr. Jorge Domic, director of Foundation La Paz, argues that banning child labour outright is not realistic, as it is ingrained in Andean culture. Instead, he suggests that the true problem lies in exploitation and unsafe conditions. Some child workers themselves echo this perspective: they don’t oppose working, but they demand fair treatment and protection from abuse. Source: The New York Times The Gambia: A Closer LookOur work is centered in The Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa but one that faces very big challenges. With a population of just 2.6 million (2021), it shares many of the struggles that plague its neighbors:
 Source: UNICEF, Statista, 2022 While the legal working age in The Gambia is 16 (and 18 for hazardous jobs), these laws are rarely enforced. Child labour is most prevalent in the agricultural sector, where nearly 95% of working children (ages 7–14) can be found. Because agriculture forms the backbone of the Gambian economy, families often depend heavily on children’s labour just to survive. Source: Block TV Gambia In short, The Gambia’s child labour crisis is not just about children working, it’s about systemic exploitation, weak protections, and a fragile economy that leaves families with few alternatives. Tackling this issue requires more than legal reforms; it demands addressing the root causes: poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities. Explore Current Child Labour Laws to Combat ExploitationThe Gambian government has been working for decades to reduce child labour, exploitation, and child marriage. With the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF, several key legislations have been introduced: 1. The Children's Act, 2005
2. Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act, 2007
3. Children’s Court Rules Act of 2010Designed to eliminate child labour and strengthen protections for children, this act also created specialised courts to handle child-related cases. Alongside these laws, UNICEF has supported The Gambia by:
In 2017, the government also launched new programmes targeting the “worst forms of child labour.” Agencies like the Child Protection Alliance, Child Welfare Unit, and the Department of Social Welfare continue to enforce these laws. The Tourism Security Unit and Gambia Tourism Board also introduced bans on unaccompanied minors in tourist hotspots to curb child sexual exploitation. Source: DW Africa Why Education Is a Game-ChangerEducation is one of the most powerful shields against exploitation. Educated girls are more likely to earn higher incomes, marry later, and provide better health outcomes for their families. In West Africa, targeted programmes show real progress: child labour in cocoa-growing regions of Ghana and Ivory Coast dropped by nearly 44% after interventions that supported mothers and local protection committees. Source: UNICEF How Can Everyone Help to Stop Child Labour?Ending child labour is not only a government responsibility, but it also requires collective action.
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Every girl deserves safety, education, and the freedom to dream. Together, we can break the cycle of child labour and build a future where no child is forced to choose survival over school. 👉 Donate now to help us protect girls in The Gambia. Read Our Featured Blogs and More!
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