Canossian Daughters of Charity Projects in Africa

Introduction

The Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) will be holding an Indaba in Lusaka, Zambia from 17th to 19th May 2023. This Indaba, titled “Keep-the-Girls in School,” aims to address the state of girls’ education in Africa following the unprecedented school closures caused by COVID-19. The conference will bring together policymakers and practitioners in education to discuss actions needed to promote gender-responsive education systems and ensure girls’ continuity of learning and retention in school.

The Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE)

The Bakhita Partnership for Education was launched by the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network-Africa (JENA) in October 2020. It serves as a platform for collaboration among various Catholic Church actors in the field of education to protect girls’ right to quality education during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The BPE works with partners and stakeholders to transform institutions and promote the well-being of girls in a post-COVID-19 world.

The Call for a Healthier and More Just World

The Bakhita Partnership for Education responds to Pope Francis’ call for the construction of a healthier and more just world in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has exposed inequities and injustices that disproportionately impact the poor and vulnerable. The BPE recognizes the crisis faced by girls as part of a larger set of interconnected crises that need to be addressed for a better future. By leveraging the experience and network of the Jesuits, Catholic sisters, and their collaborators, the BPE advocates for holistic education and policy responses to the education crisis in Africa.

Pilot Programs in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia

Currently, the Bakhita Partnership for Education has pilot programs in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. These programs involve collaboration between the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA), the Association of Religious of Uganda (ARU), the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK), and the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS). The BPE’s flagship supports three pillars of action: policy advocacy, action and advocacy for girls’ education, and community-level actions to promote safe schools.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the largest disruption of education in history. Governments around the world, including those in Africa, temporarily closed schools to contain the spread of the virus. This disruption has had serious consequences, particularly for girls’ education. The pandemic has threatened gender equality and rolled back the gains made in recent decades. Girls from marginalized communities and those in conflict-affected areas have been disproportionately affected by school closures, hindering their access to education, health, and protection.

The Need for Equitable Responses to COVID-19

African governments, like governments worldwide, were caught off guard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial responses focused on speed rather than equity in access and outcomes. Girls from low-income households, remote communities, and densely populated urban settlements bore the brunt of the crisis. The closure of schools resulted in a high number of girls being unable to continue their education, leading to learning loss.

The Bakhita Inspiration

The Bakhita Partnership for Education draws inspiration from St. Josephine Bakhita, an African saint whose story resonates with the experiences of many girls in Africa today. St. Josephine Bakhita was born in the Sudan region of Darfur and was kidnapped as a child, sold into slavery, and eventually worked as a nanny in Italy. It was during this time that she encountered the Canossian Sisters and found freedom. Inspired by her story, the BPE aims to provide hope and liberation to girls in Africa who aspire to freedom and a better future.

Conclusion

The Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) is a collaborative platform launched by the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network-Africa (JENA) to protect girls’ right to quality education in Africa. Through pilot programs in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, the BPE aims to promote gender-responsive education systems and ensure girls’ continuity of learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to girls’ education, and the BPE seeks to address these challenges through policy advocacy, action and advocacy for girls’ education, and community-level initiatives. Inspired by the story of St. Josephine Bakhita, the BPE aims to provide hope and empowerment to girls in Africa, enabling them to build a brighter future.