UK Scraps Overseas Education Project for Women and Girls

The British government has terminated the Strengthening higher education for female empowerment (SHEFE) program, a project designed to improve educational access for 1 million girls across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. This initiative, announced two years prior by the outgoing Conservative government, has been withdrawn after only two years of operation. The program, which had a budget of £45 million, aimed to increase higher education opportunities for students globally.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the withdrawal of the tender for the SHEFE program. The project was initially launched with significant publicity, highlighting its ambition to support women and girls in pursuing higher education. The decision to end the program comes amid broader cuts to the UK's foreign aid budget.

The SHEFE program was intended to make a substantial impact on the educational trajectories of a million young women. Its cancellation after such a short period raises concerns about the continuity of international development efforts and the commitment to gender equality in education. The FCDO's decision marks a significant shift in the UK's approach to supporting higher education for marginalized groups in developing regions.