SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AFFECTING GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN PUGNIDO REFUGEE CAMP, GAMBELLA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating socio-cultural factors affecting girls’ education in a pugnido refugee camp, Gambella region, Ethiopia. Primary data were collected through a structured interview schedule, FGD, and Key informant interview and secondary data were collected from books, articles, journals, maps, and reports were collected from relevant organizations and institutions. The quantitative data tool employed was an interview schedule with 380 respondents’ selected using availability sampling. The qualitative data were collected using a key-informant interview with 19 informants and 10 FGD participants. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like percentages and frequency distributions while the qualitative data was analyzed manually through careful interpretation of meanings and pattern matching. The findings of the study indicated that the girls’ low participation in education was affected by social and cultural factors. Gender inequality, early marriage, forced marriage, fear of rape, low level of parent education and loss of their parents were the identified social factors that hindered the girls’ education and from a cultural point of view, the reproduction role of the girls’, looks the girls as sources of income, looks the girls’ as dependent person and restrictions for the girls’. As a result of the research findings, the following recommendations are forwarded: First, ARRA and other stakeholders responsible for education should create viable awareness among refugee on the benefits of girl’s education. Secondarily, Training should be organized by the UNHCR and other agencies on major factors hindering girl’s excess to education such as forced marriage, early marriage and engaging girls on domestic works. The ARRA and RCC should establish safety measures so that girls can excess their education without any target threat such as rape and abuses. Finally, the organizations funding the education in Pugnido Refugee Camp should provide facilities that can encourage girls to pursue their studies.