By Audrey Kanyesigye | Director
Adolescent Girls out of school are less likely than boys to have robust friendship networks because; (1) they don't meet often, (2) they lack a friend from whom they can borrow money if in need, (3) they lack access to the sources and literacy of money and, (4) they can barely speak up for themselves because they lack the confidence to. Girls only safe spaces are providing an opportunity for these girls to create connections with other girls, build trusted support networks and build their confidence.
In today's changing world, possessing an income generating skill has become more crucial than ever before. It's important for young individuals to cultivate a diverse skillset beyond a single job. For out-of-school girls, it's even more important because it's an effective way to increase earnings.
For close to four months now, at least 240 girls in 4 safe spaces have been learning how to make snacks, liquid soap, shampoo and makeup application in addition to the longer-term training in hairdressing, tailoring and Fashion and design, trained by people they themselves identified from within their communities.
These girls have been able to leverage village-based champions for girls to take part in Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) as a way of engaging the community to learn more about their challenges and hopes for their future both individually and collectively. Community Volunteers are using MDD because it instigates reflections about sensitive subjects such as child protection and violence to emphasize key messages. Through dance and drama, they are able to captivate audiences and evoke emotions while fostering confidence and teamwork amongst the Girl groups that perform.
A series of sensitization activities and life skills sessions have been part of Just Like My Child Foundation’s effort to share information on confidence building, navigating power dynamics to increase agency for optimal decision making, sexual and reproductive health, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, prevention of violence and promoting behavioral change.
“Our safe space has given me the confidence to share my story. The feeling of being heard and empathized with is very comforting” N.S- Kyetume Safe Space
We are able to engage communities in this work due to the support of and JLMC-USA, The Hilden Charitable Fund and The Fund for Global Human Rights Legal Empowerment Fund
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