Case Study Details - The EDISON Alliance - Empowering girls through IT and Coding education in Iraq: an innovative learning pathway for secondary school girls in Shatt Al-Arab, Basra

In Iraq, despite school enrolment is higher today both at primary and secondary levels than one decade ago, significant differences remain in the education opportunities for female and male students. School is mandatory up to the age of twelve and the literacy rate for female and male youth is almost the same, with a 92.10 rate for females, and 94.90 rate for males. However, this data does not always account for stark regional differences within the country and for structural, social, and cultural barriers that prevent girls from fully and equally accessing and completing their education. To address this issue, Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid, in partnership with Mercy Hands Europe and with the support of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives has implemented the innovative “Boosting the technology skills of girls in Basra, Iraq, through IT/coding classes” project in Basra, Shatt Al Arab District, benefiting both schoolgirls and teachers.

Impact / Outcome

The long-term results achieved through the project included that 173 girls in Shatt al-Arab developed IT/coding skills, which will improve their capacity to succeed in education and future employment. The classes also allowed girls to understand and develop their own potential, as well as showed to the local community that girls can develop practical skills, also linked to the IT field, that can contribute to income. Moreover, all the twenty teachers targeted by the project have successfully been able to deliver the IT/coding classes in their schools. In addition, teachers trained through the project have been encouraged to apply their new skills by teaching IT/coding courses in their own schools.

Funding sources

Public/Private

Key Metrics

Increase technology skills of girls in Basra, Iraq, through IT/coding classes