Getting girls into school: a development benefit for all

3ie Brief No. 8, May 2009

A disproportionate number of girls remain out of schools in many developing countries. Evidence shows there is a need for ‘gender-targeted’ programs. Such targeted programs may be financial incentives - which a number have studies have found to be effective - or female-friendly schools, for which the evidence base is weak.

Overall, there is a need for more rigorous impact evaluations to find what is the most effective and cost effective way of reducing gender inequalities in access to education.