Zinabu Tufa

Ethiopian educator who pioneered girls' education initiatives in rural areas, transforming access to schooling for thousands.

Zinabu Tufa (b. 1965) is a visionary educator from Ethiopia who has dedicated her life to expanding educational opportunities for girls in remote regions. Growing up in the Oromia region, she witnessed how cultural norms prevented girls from attending school. In 1995, she founded the Zinabu Education Foundation, which built over 30 schools and trained hundreds of teachers in underserved areas. Her innovative "mobile classrooms" program uses converted buses to bring education to nomadic communities.

Tufa's work has been recognized by UNESCO's Education for All initiative. She developed a curriculum integrating local languages and cultural practices, increasing female enrollment by 40% in her region. Her advocacy led to Ethiopia's 2005 policy mandating girls' education through primary school. Despite facing resistance from traditional leaders, Tufa's perseverance has inspired similar programs across East Africa.