Dear Friends and Partners

• Updated on April 29, 2024
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Warm greetings from the G For Girls Initiative team. Welcome to the second edition of the G for Girls Initiative newsletter! In this edition, we share our activities between September and December of 2023. Our event of focus is the 16 days of activism which was packed with a load of activities aimed at advocating for the end of violence against women and girls. We are also excited to share updates on our bi-monthly school sessions, community awareness sessions, and commemoration of key days such as the world Aids Day. Finally, we want to remind everyone that our work relies on the kindness and support of our community. If you are able to donate your gently used books or resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for your continued support! Enjoy this quarter’s newsletter!

16 Days of Activism

During 2023, 16 days of activism, we successfully ran a 16-day online campaign under the hashtag ‘Komesha Dhulma za Kijinsia’ which is the Swahili translation of End Gender Based violence. In the 16 days, we partnered with Civil Society organizations to create Twitter spaces and dialogues about the GBV theme. We also shared data from our program about the role of education in ending SGBV and how it affects girls’ attendance in school.

We also took part in a walk against gender-based violence which was a powerful demonstration of solidarity and support for survivors of gender-based violence, and a social media campaign to raise awareness and speak out against SGBV.

After years of strategic advocacy, The Kwale county sexual and gender-based violence Prevention Protection Act, of 2023 was finally signed into an Act by Kwale Governor Hon Fatuma Achani and we were there to celebrate this big win.The Act is significant in addressing Sexual and gender-based violence in Kwale which has been responsible for the rising and continuous problem of teenage pregnancy in the county. The governor addressed the issue of GBV calling for the collective effort of all genders in ending the menace.

Community News As members of the Court Users Committee and Children Advisory Committee in our area of project implementation, we have identified several pressing concerns that require immediate attention.   These include failure to report child protection cases on time, parental negligence, harmful traditional culture and societal norms, drugs and substance abuse, and child marriages. Discussions in our meetings have highlighted these as areas that need to be addressed urgently. In response to these concerns, various organizations running programs in Kwale County, in collaboration with the government, have pledged their support for child protection and education for both girls and boys. Their goal is to provide immediate assistance in addressing these issues and safeguarding the well-being of children in our community. By quantifying these areas of concern and taking action through collaboration, we aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of the children in our area. We are committed to working together to ensure the safety and protection of our children.

Children Justice Week

In celebration of the Children’s justice week, we collaborated with other civil society organizations in Kwale County for child protection advocacy and awareness day in Lunga Lunga Subcounty. This event was graced by H.E the Governor, Fatuma Achani who emphasized the importance of upholding children’s rights and addressing challenges. She called for swift judicial action against offenders and stressed the need for efficient handling of child-related cases. Additionally, she highlighted the need for closer proximity of primary schools and water points to homes, as well as a partnership between the county government and organizations to address these issues.

During the event, we focused on educating the community about the channels and reporting procedures for child rights abuse and violation cases. One of the major gap in child violations is insufficient knowledge of reporting mechanisms by the community. By educating the community on how to report, we hope to increase the reporting of cases in Kwale county an justice for victims and survivors.

World Aids Day

In celebration of World AIDS Day 2023, the theme ‘Let communities lead,’ emphasize the crucial role of impacted communities in driving programs and initiatives. In collaboration with the county of Kwale and other civil society organizations we participated at World Aids Day celebrations held at Kwale Baraza park in Kwale County. According to the WHO, HIV remains a significant global public health issue, with some countries reporting an increase in new infections. Empowering communities and promoting research and innovation are key to advancing HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care worldwide. 2023 marks the 35th commemoration of this important day, highlighting significant progress made over the years. In our local community, the County Commissioner, Mr. Michael Mwangi urged behavioral change and emphasized the importance of People Living With HIV/AIDS adhering to their treatment. Deputy governor H.E Josphat Chirema Kombo, encouraged putting into practice the lessons learned from the day’s activities and thanked CSOs and stakeholders for their support. Kwale County Governor, H.E Fatuma Achani advised the community to be faithful, God-fearing, and vigilant in curbing the spread of HIV, stressing the importance of abstaining from sexual activities before marriage and being mindful of others when infected.

Adolescence and Puberty During our school sessions on adolescence and puberty, we emphasized the differences between adolescence, which is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood, and puberty, which is the stage of physical development when a child’s body becomes capable of reproduction. These changes can include growth spurts, the development of secondary sexual characteristics, and hormonal fluctuations. It’s important for young people to understand these changes and to develop healthy coping strategies. We also provided coping strategies for dealing with these changes, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, seeking support from trusted adults, and practicing self-care.Menstruation and menstrual cycle Our school session on menstruation and the menstrual cycle was a great success. We used diagrams to show and explain the external and internal parts of the female reproductive organs. Furthermore, we explained terms such as menstruation, ovulation, and Post Menstrual Syndrome and illustrated how they are related to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. We also gave practical advice on managing PMS symptoms and dispelled myths and cultural beliefs about menstruation. Understanding these topics is essential for students’ overall health and well-being as it can help them recognize normal versus abnormal menstrual cycles and seek medical advice when necessary. It can also empower them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

A Few Notes To RememberAdditionally, we addressed the impact of puberty on girls’ self-esteem and ways to promote a positive self-image. It is important for girls to understand and embrace the changes happening to their bodies and minds during this time. Overall, the session provided valuable knowledge that will benefit girls as they navigate through puberty and into adulthood.

Annual scholarship workshop It is every child’s dream to attain high school education. However, these dreams are often cut short by the lack of funds to educate them due to low household income. Our annual scholarship sessions aim to breach that gap by connecting students to scholarship opportunities. Our annual scholarship sessions was carried out in six primary schools in Vanga ward, Lunga Lunga, Kwale Kenya. These sessions covered how to apply for scholarships, how to write the essays and how to do an interview. We also taught the students about how to attach the right documents and strategically starting their applications early to meet the deadlines. We are excited to share the success of our recent Annual Scholarship Workshop held at Jego Primary School in Lunga Lunga Sub County. The event highlighted the important role education plays in transforming lives and was attended by 67 girls and boys. We are happy to report that 17 students got full, partial and government scholarships to pursue their high school education. Additionally, GGI sponsored 3 girls to continue their high school education. By providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the scholarship application process, we are working towards ensuring that they have the necessary support and guidance to access educational opportunities. We look forward to continuing our efforts in empowering students and providing them with the tools needed to succeed in their educational journey.

Mastercard Foundation VisitThe Mastercard Foundation’s visit to Kwale, our area of implementation, was a significant and impactful event for our organization. Their active participation in our field activities, specifically their attendance at a bi-monthly school session addressing the topic of menstruation and the menstrual cycle, demonstrated their genuine commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of the community and adolescent girls.

The catch-up meeting that followed the school session provided an opportunity for valuable feedback and dialogue between the Foundation, our gender champions, and teachers. The Foundation’s expression of appreciation for the impactful work we are doing was incredibly encouraging and affirming for our team.

The awarding ceremony that concluded the meeting, where our gender champions, teachers, and staff were recognized and presented with certificates for their contributions, was a heartwarming gesture that further highlighted the value of their dedication and hard work.

The ongoing support and engagement of the Mastercard Foundation serve as a powerful source of motivation for us as we continue our efforts in empowering and supporting the community and adolescent girls. We are immensely grateful for their involvement and encouragement.

To partner with G For Girls Initiative, kindly contact us via;Email: info@gforgirls.orgThank you