Educate Girls in Zambia on Gender Equality
In March 2021 we launched a new project on Global Giving with a focus on Gender Equity and Girls' Education.
The objectives of the project are to address the root causes that hinder the girls' retention and poor attendance in school, which have also been exacerbated as a result of COVID- 19.
Through school sessions and safe counselling groups, we aim to provide awareness and sensitize the students (including teenage boys) on the benefits of gender equity in education.
The focus of the intervention will be to reduce the number of out of school girls in the long-term.
Through school based meetings held with boys and girls, together or separately depending on the topic, and in collaboration with the guidance of counselling professionals, the project shall address safeguarding issues such as gender equality, child protection & gender inclusion, and create awareness of sexual health education in our Community.
Girls will be educated about their basic human rights, the benefits of not dropping out of school, their well-being, safety and the part they can play in making their community a better place.
Pilot Workshop on Sexual Reproductive Health
In April 2021, we held our first Global Giving Project Pilot workshop. Twenty-five girl students and some of their mothers attended the workshop. We were pleased to have the organization Talula Cup with us to hold a presentation on Menstruation and Puberty, as well as introducing the menstrual cup. The audience asked many questions and the responses towards the cup were overall very positive.
10 volunteer girls (5 from the Bauleni Special Needs Project and 5 from the Chance4all program) received the cup and they are now requested to regularly report on the benefits of the cups, how they are dealing with it and if the menstrual cup has an impact on their retention and attendance at school. The workshop further included a talk by a nurse from Bauleni Clinic who discussed the important topics of Sexuality, Sexually transmitted infections and contraceptive methods. Last not least, our Chance4all volunteer counsellor held a session on Mental Well-being, gender equity and Gender based violence.
Since March 2021, eight workshops have followed with different group of girls from Bauleni Special Needs Project and local public schools. Recently, we have invited boy students to attend these workshops and they are engaged and interested in the topics of sexual reproductive, mental health awareness, addiction and gaming.
In the week of Women's and Youth Day (March 8–14, 2021) we organized a Chance4all Virtual Walk/Runathon to raise money for this project. We had over 40 participants running, walking or cycling from all around the world and posting their pictures on our Facebook Page using the hashtags #RunforEducation #Chance4allRunWalkathon and #5KforChance4all. The event further gave us an opportunity to raise awareness for what we do and we hereby say a big Thank you to all sports enthusiasts and donors. Watch the video to get some insights on the event.