The project is funded by the Canada Embassy in Senegal through the Canada Funds for Local Initiatives.
The training aimed to break the cycle of period poverty in schools, keep girls in schools during their periods, prevent them from gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, child marriage and reduce the amount of plastic waste that are generated from disposable pads causing harm to the environment and water-bodies.
Teachers are also expected to work with the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and the Mother’s Clubs in their schools to support them in their journey to end period poverty in their schools and communities.
Karamba Sonko, principal education officer at the Regional Directorate in LRR said as a sector, they are congnisant of the fact that; Life Skills Education will help their learners to acquire not only knowledge and skills but also adaptive and positive behaviors relevant to their self-fulfillment in the changing social and economic environment in which they live.
He urged beneficiary teachers to now increase their advocacy role in presenting, discussing and suggesting possible solutions to stakeholders especially learners in their classrooms. He also urged them to encourage and assist inexperienced and youthful girls on how to take care of themselves in ‘this cost effective and efficient way’ through Girls’ Pride Gambia.
Mr Sonko thanked Girls’ Pride Gambia and funders for the important training.
H.E. Marie-Genevieve Mounier, ambassador of Canada Embassy for Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau congratulated Girls’ Pride Gambia for the idea, describing it as very innovative.
She pointed out that it is important for women to know their bodies as well as taking care of themselves for their health.
She noted that most times women are shy of talking about periods and therefore described the training as really firm and will help all participants.
Fatoumatta Kassama, founder and chief executive officer of Girls’ Pride Gambia emphasised the need for beneficiary teachers to organise step down trainings to transfer the skills to other teachers, Mother’s Clubs and their students.
She stated that Girls’ Pride Gambia will provide raw materials and the Funneh board game for all the teachers to set up reusable pad banks in their schools and conduct step down training for other teachers, members of the Mother’s Clubs and their students (boys and girls) taking Home Science as a subject.
She noted that boys having knowledge on menstrual hygiene management will reduce period shaming and other forms of violence against girls which may lead to school drop-out and poor performance in school.
