By AUDREY INGRAMStaff Writer
6/9/2012 12:09:00 AM
If there is a glass ceiling for women in the U.S., then there is a glass mansion for women in Ethiopia, and the education system is built on its foundation.
In the U.S., students work hard to get that elusive A, spending hours studying, reading and researching. When finished, they receive congratulations for their efforts, occasionally accompanied by a few good-humored jabs from fellow students.
In Ethiopia, their female counterparts also understand that drive, but when they get that A, they do not receive praise from their peers - they receive censure. Mostly male, their fellow students explain away their higher grades by claiming the female students have relations with the teacher.
This is one example of the way the challenges facing students in developing countries are compounded for women. They must fight every step of the way to remain in the education system, and grow a tough skin in order to excel.
Emebet Gebeyehu and Konjit Acha are third-year engineering students at Adama University, located about 50 miles from the capital of Addis Ababa. A government university, it is one of the most difficult schools to enter and offers the most strenuous science and technological programs. Emebet's focus is concentrated in electrical engineering. Konjit is studying to become a civil engineer, with a focus in structural engineering. In a school of 14,000 students, the two women have defied the odds and become leaders in their concentrations.
Sitting outside a juice bar on the main strip of Adama, sipping a mixed berry, banana and avocado concoction, the two women teased one another about the importance of their respective studies.
"They say we just splice wires," said Emebet, pointing at her friend, "but we make the phones and computers they use!"
"But we build all the structures you are in," retorted a laughing Konjit.
With the red and white stripes of a tarp in the background, and the calls of boys selling gum and lottery tickets on the side, the two women began to tell their story.
Both are proud to be the first members of their families to attend university. Emebet has one brother who did not attend high school, a sister studying construction management through a vocational program, and a six-year old sister for whom she hopes to set an example. Konjit is the youngest of eight siblings. Her mother had been a wood carrier in her village, and her father makes traditional clothes.
"He doesn't understand grades, but he has a place where he marks off the years because he wants to make sure he is at my graduation," Konjit said, a smile spreading across her face.
In the U.S., students work hard to get that elusive A, spending hours studying, reading and researching. When finished, they receive congratulations for their efforts, occasionally accompanied by a few good-humored jabs from fellow students.
In Ethiopia, their female counterparts also understand that drive, but when they get that A, they do not receive praise from their peers - they receive censure. Mostly male, their fellow students explain away their higher grades by claiming the female students have relations with the teacher.
This is one example of the way the challenges facing students in developing countries are compounded for women. They must fight every step of the way to remain in the education system, and grow a tough skin in order to excel.
Emebet Gebeyehu and Konjit Acha are third-year engineering students at Adama University, located about 50 miles from the capital of Addis Ababa. A government university, it is one of the most difficult schools to enter and offers the most strenuous science and technological programs. Emebet's focus is concentrated in electrical engineering. Konjit is studying to become a civil engineer, with a focus in structural engineering. In a school of 14,000 students, the two women have defied the odds and become leaders in their concentrations.
Sitting outside a juice bar on the main strip of Adama, sipping a mixed berry, banana and avocado concoction, the two women teased one another about the importance of their respective studies.
"They say we just splice wires," said Emebet, pointing at her friend, "but we make the phones and computers they use!"
"But we build all the structures you are in," retorted a laughing Konjit.
With the red and white stripes of a tarp in the background, and the calls of boys selling gum and lottery tickets on the side, the two women began to tell their story.
Konjit (left) and Emebet (right) are both engineering students at Adama University in Ethiopia.
News Journal photo/Audrey Ingram
News Journal photo/Audrey Ingram
Both are proud to be the first members of their families to attend university. Emebet has one brother who did not attend high school, a sister studying construction management through a vocational program, and a six-year old sister for whom she hopes to set an example. Konjit is the youngest of eight siblings. Her mother had been a wood carrier in her village, and her father makes traditional clothes.
"He doesn't understand grades, but he has a place where he marks off the years because he wants to make sure he is at my graduation," Konjit said, a smile spreading across her face.
The women's struggle for their education began as early as grades 1 and 2. Across the continent, girls are expected to give work at home their first priority; studying can be done later, if there is time. Emebet said that parents often don't understand that their children will be better for learning. As a result, girls enter motherhood as early as grades 7 or 8, never even attending high school.
"Families prefer the girls at home rather than going to school," Konjit confirmed. "Even if I had an exam the next day, I had to work first, or I would be punished."
National exams determine students' acceptance into schools and universities. Scores also determine if individuals will have a choice in their studies, or if the government will assign them a field. Both Emebet and Konjit chose engineering.
Even when women overcome these initial obstacles, school culture still works to discourage them. Male students aren't willing to work in the same group with female students, and teachers accuse the women of plagiarizing their designs. Dating is seen as a way for men to distract women from giving their studies appropriate attention.
With two different styles and personalities, Emebet, outgoing in a white T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes and Konjit, shy in a traditional-patterned blouse, sweater and long skirt, both women emphasized the need to build female confidence.
"One day, people will know who I am and other females will follow me," said Emebet. "Most women depend on their husbands for support, but the only way to be strong in the economy is to learn."
Emebet is a tutor for younger female students, a job that gives her the opportunity to be a role model, she said. Konjit advises incoming students, preparing and encouraging them as exams approach. From the Addis Ababa neighborhood of Sh'romeda, Emebet and Konjit have been attending school together for 17 years. They both received support early in their education from the Ambassador's Girls' Scholarship Program, a worldwide initiative funded by USAID through an international NGO called AED, which sponsored students through secondary and preparatory school. This program supported 215 girls in Ethiopia from 2006 to 2009. On average, each year of high school results in higher life-time earnings, delayed marriage and child-birth and lower rates of HIV infection for the women, as well as higher esteem and leadership skills. Each of the 215 girls from the Ambassador's program completed high school and university entrance exams.
Though the program ended, Ato Assefa, the former director, still volunteers his time to find the students individual sponsors as they enter university. He keeps in close contact with 50 of the students. He has recruited sponsors for 15, including Emebet and Konjit. Assefa said that he focuses on finding sponsors for medical and engineering students first, as their programs are more demanding, and they have less time available for a job.
Though government scholarships cover the cost of tuition and housing, the 300 Birr the students receive each month from their sponsors enables them to purchase sanitary materials, photocopies of the necessary textbooks and materials, transportation costs and sometimes additional computer access or courses. When converted into USD, the cost to sponsor a student is only $25 a month, for 10 months out of the year.
Emebet and Konjit are both sponsored by Lucy and Bernd Steinitz. An international development worker and Wilmington College graduate, Lucy will be working in Ethiopia for two more years. She said that she would be happy to act as a conduit for anyone interested in sponsoring a student.
"The integrity, commitment and drive of these smart young women just blows me away," Lucy said. "Whenever I feel a bit discouraged about something, I think of what they are doing and it motivates me to keep trying harder, too. These sponsorships make all the difference in the world to these students, and has an impact that will last for generations."
Emebet and Konjit, who both plan to pursue masters degrees, said that they are very thankful for the support they have received.
"Without these people and programs, we might not be where we are," said Konjit. For more information, or to get involved, contact lucy@steinitz.net.
---
Audrey Ingram is a Wilmington News Journal staff writer and Wilmington College student who currently is in Ethiopia, volunteering for a non-profit organization called Developing Families Together. To read more about her trip, visit her blog at www.audreyingram.wordpress.com.
"Families prefer the girls at home rather than going to school," Konjit confirmed. "Even if I had an exam the next day, I had to work first, or I would be punished."
National exams determine students' acceptance into schools and universities. Scores also determine if individuals will have a choice in their studies, or if the government will assign them a field. Both Emebet and Konjit chose engineering.
Even when women overcome these initial obstacles, school culture still works to discourage them. Male students aren't willing to work in the same group with female students, and teachers accuse the women of plagiarizing their designs. Dating is seen as a way for men to distract women from giving their studies appropriate attention.
With two different styles and personalities, Emebet, outgoing in a white T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes and Konjit, shy in a traditional-patterned blouse, sweater and long skirt, both women emphasized the need to build female confidence.
"One day, people will know who I am and other females will follow me," said Emebet. "Most women depend on their husbands for support, but the only way to be strong in the economy is to learn."
Emebet is a tutor for younger female students, a job that gives her the opportunity to be a role model, she said. Konjit advises incoming students, preparing and encouraging them as exams approach. From the Addis Ababa neighborhood of Sh'romeda, Emebet and Konjit have been attending school together for 17 years. They both received support early in their education from the Ambassador's Girls' Scholarship Program, a worldwide initiative funded by USAID through an international NGO called AED, which sponsored students through secondary and preparatory school. This program supported 215 girls in Ethiopia from 2006 to 2009. On average, each year of high school results in higher life-time earnings, delayed marriage and child-birth and lower rates of HIV infection for the women, as well as higher esteem and leadership skills. Each of the 215 girls from the Ambassador's program completed high school and university entrance exams.
Though the program ended, Ato Assefa, the former director, still volunteers his time to find the students individual sponsors as they enter university. He keeps in close contact with 50 of the students. He has recruited sponsors for 15, including Emebet and Konjit. Assefa said that he focuses on finding sponsors for medical and engineering students first, as their programs are more demanding, and they have less time available for a job.
Though government scholarships cover the cost of tuition and housing, the 300 Birr the students receive each month from their sponsors enables them to purchase sanitary materials, photocopies of the necessary textbooks and materials, transportation costs and sometimes additional computer access or courses. When converted into USD, the cost to sponsor a student is only $25 a month, for 10 months out of the year.
Emebet and Konjit are both sponsored by Lucy and Bernd Steinitz. An international development worker and Wilmington College graduate, Lucy will be working in Ethiopia for two more years. She said that she would be happy to act as a conduit for anyone interested in sponsoring a student.
"The integrity, commitment and drive of these smart young women just blows me away," Lucy said. "Whenever I feel a bit discouraged about something, I think of what they are doing and it motivates me to keep trying harder, too. These sponsorships make all the difference in the world to these students, and has an impact that will last for generations."
Emebet and Konjit, who both plan to pursue masters degrees, said that they are very thankful for the support they have received.
"Without these people and programs, we might not be where we are," said Konjit. For more information, or to get involved, contact lucy@steinitz.net.
---
Audrey Ingram is a Wilmington News Journal staff writer and Wilmington College student who currently is in Ethiopia, volunteering for a non-profit organization called Developing Families Together. To read more about her trip, visit her blog at www.audreyingram.wordpress.com.
