Kombolcha Polytechnic in Ethiopia is offering incentives to female students in a bid to increase female student enrolment and retention. The college provides free sanitary materials to females including sanitary and dignity pads, toiletries, paper towels, lotions, among other items to female students enrolling at the college. This is in an effort to provide a conducive environment for female students to increase enrolment in the traditionally male dominated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses.

Currently, the college has enrolled over 100 Female students both in long and short –term programs, with at least 17 enrolled to the automotive education department. The initiative is expected to reduce gender gaps and create an inclusive and diverse learning environment that ensures gender equity in acquiring education. It is expected to break down barriers that hinder inclusive education for all.

By Hassen Bushira, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, at Kombolcha Polytechnic College.