Getting an education is challenging for children and youth living as refugees in Uganda and who are internally displaced in South Sudan. It's even harder to get one that fosters gender equality and diversity in the classroom, especially for young women and adolescent girls.

Girls who receive an education have more opportunities to reach their full potential. They live healthier lives, wait longer to start a family, usually have fewer children, and are more likely to ensure their children attend school.

But harmful social norms, practices and stereotypes prevent many refugee and internally displaced young women and adolescent girls from staying in school. In Uganda, 47 per cent of refugee girls enroll in primary school, while only 33 per cent attend secondary school. In South Sudan, there are seven girls for every ten boys in primary school; at secondary school, the figure worsens, with only five girls for every ten boys.

Adding to these hurdles is the gap between the educational needs of refugee and internally displaced populations and the financial and material capacity and resources provided by the governments hosting people experiencing forced displacement. Non-refugee children living in communities hosting refugee or internally displaced people also face educational struggles.

Organizations supporting refugees and internally displaced people are working on the frontline to provide essential educational services to fill this gap, but more assistance and resources are needed to expand their formidable efforts.