Effective Protection of Girls
For many years courageous people in Burkina Faso have worked to make sure that young girls can grow up in a safe environment. Thanks to the legal decree in 1996, which criminalized genital mutilation, SAIDA is able to seek out similar types of initiatives and support them. Since 2011 we have worked with the Gomboro community, a region in northern Burkina Faso, to make sure that these girls are protected effectively.
Most local initiatives lack the financial organization for broadly based campaigns and programs to protect children. However, we offer support to the local women's organization in Burkina Faso, which campaigns for vulnerable groups such as windows and their children.
Life in this region is full of deprivation and most people struggle to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, we began the Safeguarding Girls program as a way to give young girls access to education, health and income security. We also work together in close cooperation with the regional authorities because the consent of the traditional village chiefs and elders is vital. All groups are included in public discourse - local police, teachers, women's groups and religious leaders.
To effectively protect the girls in the Gamboro community, we set up a sponsorship program. Families in Germany may choose to sponsor one of the girls by entering into agreements with her parents, which will ensure that she is not exposed to genital mutilation or early marriage. Her parents must also agree that their daughter can finish school and attend annual checkups. Fortunately, each year more and more families wish to participate.
The village community is now taking active responsibility for the Safeguarding Girls program. However, in order to secure and expand this agenda, we are looking for more godparents or sponsors to join, so if you, a family member, or friend would like to be a sponsor please contact us now!