Malala Fund has welcomed 22 new advocates from six countries into its Education Champion Network, the largest new cohort since the programme was launched in 2017.

Development Diaries understands that the Malala Fund’s Education Champion Network, which has been extend to Ethiopia, invests in local leaders to accelerate progress towards girls’ secondary education around the world.

The advocates understand the needs of girls in their community, the barriers that keep them out of school, and how to overcome the obstacles.

The Chief Programmes Officer at Malala Fund, Maliha Khan, said, ‘We launched the Education Champion Network to bolster the work of local activists. As individuals and collectives, these champions are making progress for girls at local, state, and national levels.

‘As Covid-19 threatens to force millions of more girls out of school, champion-led programmes and advocacy work is now even more important. We are proud to welcome this cohort of innovative advocates into our network, as well as expand our support in sub-Saharan Africa with our first Ethiopian Champions’.

It was noted that the Education Champion Network now supports 58 advocates working across Afghanistan, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.

The new cohort of education champions include the founder and CEO of Connected Development Initiative (CODE), Hamzat ‘Hamzy’ Bala Lawal, the Programme Manager at Restoration of Hope Initiative (ROHI), Benjamin John, and the Executive Director at Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Olabukunola ‘Buky’ Williams, all from Nigeria; while from Ethiopia are the Executive Director at Hiwot Ethiopia, Getaalem Kassa, the Executive Director at Education for Sustainable Development, Amsale Mulugeta, and the Executive Director, Women Empowerment Action (WE-Action), Martha Nemara Woyessa.

Source: Malala Fund

Photo source: Malala Fund