The Togolese government recently celebrated its top female Baccalaureate students in Lomé, the country's capital. On September 18, 2026, the Minister of Solidarity, Gender, Family, and Child Protection, Moni Sankarédja-Sinandja, presided over a ceremony to award prizes to 60 girls from different educational regions who achieved the highest averages in their Baccalaureate exams. Each laureate received a laptop and a certificate of merit.
This initiative is part of the government's Excellence in Academics, Leadership, and Employability for Togolese Girls program, launched in 2017 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The program aims to promote the emergence of a high-quality female elite capable of contributing to the country's development. It rewards girls with the best averages in all Baccalaureate streams every year.
Minister Sankarédja-Sinandja emphasized that education and training for girls are essential for their empowerment and gender equality. She highlighted that equal access to knowledge and skills is crucial for a more just, inclusive, and prosperous society. The program aligns with the government's roadmap for 2026-2031 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, and 8.
According to the National Education Statistics Yearbook, progress has been made in reducing disparities between girls and boys. In 2021-2022, boys had a higher success rate (70.57%) than girls (67.87%), but by 2023-2024, girls' success rates had improved to 77% compared to 75.6% for boys in the Baccalaureate second part, series D. However, challenges persist, particularly in terms of retention and orientation in certain fields.
Despite these achievements, disparities persist in higher education and vocational training. While girls represent 58.5% of students in G2 series, they make up only 8% in F3 series. Minister Sankarédja-Sinandja stressed the need to strengthen targeted actions to promote gender equity and equality in education.
Other officials, including Minister Delegate for Higher Education and Scientific Research Gado Tchangbédji, Governor of the Grand Lomé Autonomous District Zouréhatou Kassa-Traoré, and UNDP Resident Representative Binta Sanneh, congratulated the laureates and advised them to "dream big" and pursue promising fields with courage and enthusiasm.
The ceremony concluded with a message of encouragement and support for the laureates as they embark on their future academic and professional journeys. The government's initiative aims to create a more inclusive and equitable education system, promoting the empowerment of girls and women in Togo.
Key points
- The Togolese government has been implementing initiatives to promote girls' education and empowerment since 2017.
- 60 top female Baccalaureate students received laptops and certificates of merit for their outstanding academic achievements.
- The program aims to address persistent disparities in education and promote gender equality in Togo.
