In Ethiopia, nearly 30% of young women aged 15 to 24 are illiterate. The situation is even more dire for adult women, with illiteracy rates reaching almost 70%. This phenomenon represents a significant barrier that limits the opportunities for girls and women to fully participate in economic, political, and social life.
One of the main causes is a deeply rooted gender inequality in the country. Moreover, in rural areas, access to education is hindered by poverty, social norms, and a lack of school infrastructure. The limited access to quality education often relegates girls to the role of domestic helpers or forces them into early marriages, contributing to the persistently high illiteracy rate that restricts their choices and autonomy. The consequences of this educational exclusion are not only individual but also affect the broader society, fueling child malnutrition, high maternal mortality rates, and the perpetuation of intergenerational poverty.
Even in the capital city, Addis Ababa — the most urbanized area with greater educational opportunities — illiteracy remains a serious issue. Girls and women face numerous social and economic barriers that limit their access to education. In particular, in poorer families, they are often forced to drop out of school to support the household financially, enter into early marriages, or take on domestic responsibilities.
Additionally, migration from rural areas and the rapid growth of the city further exacerbate inequalities, with many families living in precarious conditions and unable to provide adequate education for their daughters.
Although adult literacy programs do exist, they are often insufficient and not tailored to specific needs — especially for women who work or are responsible for caring for their families.
For us, combating illiteracy is essential — it is a major obstacle to the economic empowerment of women and girls and, more broadly, to gender equality. We have been active in Ethiopia since 2017, implementing programs focused on economic empowerment. Together with the Ethiopian organization WISE, we work to address illiteracy by offering literacy courses.
With just 1 euro a day, you can enable 10 women and girls to participate in a literacy course in Addis Ababa. This course provides a government-recognized certification and opens the door to WISE’s training programs focused on income-generating activities — giving participants greater opportunities to make choices, take control of their lives, and pursue their aspirations.
To ensure that women and girls are not left behind, we need your support—now.