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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Back to School, Back to Dreams: How Girls’ Education Shapes the FutureBack-to-School season is a time of excitement, fresh notebooks, crisp uniforms, and the promise of new opportunities. But for many girls in The Gambia, that promise remains uncertain. Only 58.6% complete lower secondary school, and just 52.3% of young women are literate, trailing significantly behind their male peers. Globally, progress has been made. UNESCO reports that since 2015, millions more girls have completed each stage of schooling. Yet, UNICEF warns that 122 million girls are still out of school, and only 24% of countries have reached gender parity in upper secondary education. The Girl’s Guide to Thriving This School Year Beyond the Books, education is more than lessons. It’s a launchpad for independence, leadership, and lasting change. This anchor blog unpacks why girls’ education shapes not just individual futures but the well-being of entire communities, and how together, we can turn Back to School into Back to Dreams. Credit: BBC News Africa Why Back-to-School Season is More Than Just New UniformsFor girls, returning to school is far more than an academic milestone; it’s a step toward freedom, independence, and opportunity. According to a World Bank report, women with secondary education may expect to earn nearly twice as much as those with no education. Every additional year of secondary schooling lowers the risk of child marriage by around six percentage points and increases the likelihood of healthier, more prosperous families. In The Gambia, having the right school essentials, such as uniforms, shoes, and supplies, can mean the difference between attending classes and staying home. The SAGG Foundation’s Sponsor a Girl programme ensures these basic needs are met, allowing students to focus on learning rather than financial strain. As explored in our supporting post, School Bags and Big Dreams, providing these seemingly small resources creates a powerful ripple effect: girls attend school consistently, participate with confidence, and build the foundation for lifelong success. Back-to-School season is the perfect moment to ensure every girl has not just the books in her hand, but the belief in her future.  The Hidden Barriers Girls Face in Returning to SchoolWhile progress has been made in advancing girls’ education worldwide, many students still face obstacles that boys are far less likely to encounter. In The Gambia, SAGG Foundation research shows that only 58.6% of girls complete lower secondary school, with financial hardship and gender-based expectations often forcing them to drop out early. The main challenges include: Financial hardshipsParents in low-income settings often drop girls from school when school fees and uniforms become unaffordable. A 2024 report on families in East Africa found that in such cases, girls were more likely than boys to stay home when resources ran short. Cultural norms – Early marriageUNICEF reports that 12 million girls were married before age 18 in 2022, and while progress has been made, child marriage rates remain high, compelling many girls to drop out of school. Distance and safetyHuman Rights Watch highlights how the lack of safe transport and harassment on the way to school can deter attendance, particularly for girls, in rural and conflict-affected areas. Menstrual hygiene productsResearch in 2024 found that 1 in 10 adolescent girls miss school during their menstrual periods, often due to a lack of access to hygiene facilities and products. The Ripple Effect of Educating One GirlInvesting in a girl’s education doesn’t just transform her life; it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and fuels national growth. In countries across Africa, each additional year of schooling can raise a girl’s future earnings by up to 20%, and much of that income is reinvested into her family’s health, nutrition, and education. The impact is even more striking on a global scale. Girls without secondary education can lose up to half of their potential lifetime earnings, while 12 million girls a year still face early marriage, cutting short their education and limiting their opportunities. Meanwhile, if every girl completed secondary school, the world could unlock between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lifetime productivity gains. At the SAGG Foundation, this ripple effect is already visible. Through our Sponsor a Girl programme, one girl’s success often inspires her siblings, friends, and neighbours to stay in school. When a single student graduates, she becomes a role model, proving that with support and opportunity, education can be the spark that lights up an entire community. An infographic showcasing the SaGG Foundation’s impact!  How You Can Help Girls Go Back to School This YearSupporting girls’ education is about more than covering school costs; it’s about removing barriers and creating lasting change. Whether you can give time, resources, or your voice, there’s a way to make an impact. Sponsor a GirlThrough the Sponsor a Girl programme, you can cover a student’s fees, uniform, and books, helping her stay focused on learning. Evidence shows that investing in girls’ education delivers some of the highest returns for communities, boosting both equality and economic growth.
Make a DonationEvery bit helps, and any amount of donation made would support a girl's education. Textbooks, safe transport, and menstrual supplies can make the difference between a girl staying in school or dropping out. Access to essential resources is proven to increase school attendance and retention rates in underserved areas. Become Volunteer or Charity ChampionSpreading real stories of girls overcoming barriers and succeeding in school has the power to unite communities and inspire change. Social media and personal networks can become powerful tools to amplify these voices. Become a Charity Champion & Advocate: Help spread the word about SaGG’s mission. Share our story, raise awareness in your community, and inspire others to support girls’ education in The Gambia. Volunteer Your Skills: Join our team by mentoring girls through our Charity Champions Mentoring Programme, supporting digital marketing efforts, or assisting with fundraising initiatives. Your time and expertise can help us empower more young women to achieve their dreams. Every effort, big or small, contributes to the vision of a future where every girl can go from classroom to career, from dreams to reality. This Back-to-School season, let’s make sure every girl has the chance to go from classroom to career, from dreams to reality. Sponsor a Girl Today or learn more about how your support changes lives. Read Our Featured Blogs and More!
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