The UK government has canceled a major education initiative aimed at keeping 1 million girls in school across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, just two years after its launch. The program, known as Strengthening Higher Education for Female Empowerment (SHEFE), had a budget of £45 million and was designed to increase access to higher education for female students worldwide, according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The decision to withdraw the tender for SHEFE has raised concerns among education advocates. Bambos Charalambous, a Labour MP and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on global education, expressed alarm over the cancellation. He noted that the program was crucial for empowering women and girls, reducing child marriage, and increasing their earning potential. Charalambous stated,
It is vital to start thinking now about how to build back from the aid cuts to save similar projects.
The cancellation follows a broader trend of aid cuts by the UK government, which has faced criticism for undermining its commitment to women's rights and education. The FCDO had previously emphasized the importance of such initiatives, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper declaring that ensuring women's safety is a priority. However, the axing of SHEFE suggests a shift in focus away from international educational support for women.
The move comes amid other restrictions, including the Home Office's blockade on new study visas for applicants from countries like Afghanistan and Sudan, further limiting educational opportunities for women in those regions.
The cancellation of the SHEFE program is likely to impact international education sectors and development funding, particularly in regions reliant on UK aid for educational initiatives. Investors will watch for potential shifts in UK foreign aid policy and upcoming announcements regarding new funding allocations.
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