http://www.english.hadhramaut.info WFP distributes food aid to 100,000 female students in Yemen: Parajuli [The Source: SANA'A\Hadhramaut\Saba - Thursday -06/March/2014] World Food Programme (WFP) has begun distribution of food rations to 100,000 female students last month, WFP Yemen representative and country director said on Thursday. "WFP started last February the distribution of take-home food rations to 100,000 female students in 10 provinces," Bishaw Parajuli told Saba. The food ration is sufficient for a 7-member family, bringing the total number of beneficiaries, counting family members, to 700,000 people, he said, adding that "WFP seeks to double the number of female students benefiting from this activity in 2015." This step is essential to bridge the educational gender gap, which is alarming, as 51% of the female population is illiterate, compared with an 18 % illiteracy rate among males, Parajuli said. "The WFP utilizes food aid to encourage families to send their girls to school to continue education, avoid marrying early and to secure a better life for themselves and their children in the future."