GIRLS EMPOWERMENT

Quick Impact Skills for Adolescent Girls

The Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks devastated the socio-economic status of Sierra Leone, also led to the closure of schools and disruption of education activities across. The closure of schools contributed to the increased of teenage pregnancy, many young girls (Aged 15 to 18) became pregnant, became child mothers and faced economic difficulties to care for their children or pursue their potentials.

Quick Impact Skills for Adolescent Girls

After the two epidemics and crises, with the generous support from the Ambassador’s Fund of the United States Embassy Freetown United States Embassy Freetown (https://sl.usembassy.gov/), SEED supported the enrollment of adolescent girls into quick impact skill development training to learn skills like Soap Making, Tailoring, Gara-tie dying, Basic Cratering, Hair Dressing and other vocational skills. Through the trainings, 100 girls engaged in meaningful economic activities that earned them income to adequately care for their children, experienced a renewal of their hopes and reduced stigma, and successful encouraged 80% of them to go back to secondary school months after giving birth.

Creating safe spaces for adolescent girls in Schools

Child marriage is a common practice in Sierra Leone, which has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the world. These challenges are putting girls at greater risk of gender-based violence and making it harder for them to complete their education. SEED Safe Space School Clubs supported by Purposeful Productions (https://wearepurposeful.org/), provides adolescents ages 13-17, with a safe space to discuss their concerns, learn about reproductive health, and build their self-confidence. Teens meet weekly in groups of 12 at local schools and within the community to discuss critical issues affecting their lives. Participants who excel in the program are encouraged to help facilitate meetings for the new clubs. The project objective is to empower young girls to have control over their bodies and make wise choices about their lives.