UK, UBA, 10 others launch over N10bn to aid girls education, employment in developing countries

The United Kingdom (UK), in partnership with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and 10 other global organizations have launched a £20 million (10.88 billion) to aid girls education and employment in developing countries.

The unveiling of the fund was part of the activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.

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The British High Commission, in a statement said Nigeria and Bangladesh are the first countries to benefit from the fund. The British High Commission further said

Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched the new £20 million business partnership as the UK continues to lead global efforts to improve girls’ access to education in developing countries.

The British High Commission added that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children did not have any access to school and girls from disadvantaged families were particularly vulnerable to missing out on education, whether through poverty or prejudice.

The British High Commission added that businesses, charities, schools and colleges will shortly be able to bid for funds from the programme.

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said: “Supporting women and girls is at the heart of UK foreign policy. We want women to have agency over their own lives and to be free to succeed.

Helen Grant, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Girls’ Education said: “Every girl everywhere deserves to have an education.