International Inner Wheel - International Social Project

International Social Project 2009 -2012 - Improving Girls Education in Bolivia

Theme for 2009/2010

Help Bring Hope

UNICEF's Global Girls' Education Program Leaflet

International Social Project 2006 - 2009 Archive

Project History

At the International Convention held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2000 it was agreed that an International Inner Wheel social project should be established. Suggestions for a suitable project were received from various countries, and at the Convention held in Florence, Italy, in 2003 it was announced that the chosen project would be the UNICEF Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus programme (MNT) with the aim to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus.

In 2006, at the Christchurch Convention, it was agreed that the next International Social Project would be UNICEF Girls’ Education.

Because of the success of this project, it was decided to continue to support an educational campaign but this time in Bolivia

In co-operation with UNICEF, Inner Wheel is commencing its support to the improvement of girls’ education in Madagascar, more specifically the Vangaindrano district.

Accelerate access to, completion and quality of basic education for most vulnerable girls in Bolivia

Background and Analysis

Bolivia is reported as being the second poorest in Latin America with 34.5 per cent of the nation's population living in extreme poverty (less than USD 1 per person per day) and 67 per cent of the population living in poverty of some degree (less than USD 2 person per day). Especially in disadvantaged urban and rural areas of the country, poverty is severe and access to public services limited. In average, infant mortality is reported at 54 deaths in 1,000 live births, under-five child mortality lies at 75 in 1,000 live births and life expectancy is 66 years. In rural parts of the country, infant mortality raises to 67 and under-five mortality to concerning 96. Literacy rates (age 19 and older) are reported at 85 per cent at national levels and 71 per cent at national level and 74 per cent for rural areas of the country. Half of the rural children once enrolled in school, many of them girls, drop out before completing the eight years of primary school. Gender differences in school attendance are most pronounced in the Department of Potosi with a difference of 10 percentage points between boys and girls.

In disadvantaged areas of the country, such as, for example, the Amazon and Guarani-speaking areas, the Net Enrolment Rate (NER) for 6thgrade is 88% and 52% for 8th grade only (2004). The promotion rate to 6th grade is 78% and 8th grade 45% only.

Donations (made payable to International Inner Wheel) should be sent to International Inner Wheel Headquarters office.