This project is supported by L'OCCITANE Foundation.
Context
The analysis of sociocultural realities in the Central-West Region of Burkina Faso reveals perceptions and practices detrimental to girls' educational success, such as low regard for their education, persistence of traditional practices like dowries and abductions, low self-esteem among girls, ongoing gender-based violence in communities and schools, as well as neglect of specific issues facing girls due to their status.
However, since 2022, Burkina Faso has been facing a record-high inflation, primarily attributed to political instability, escalating insecurity, and trade restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation has had a major impact on the SCOLFILLE project, especially as nine schools have been temporarily closed due to jihadist threats, impeding the implementation of planned activities. It is crucial to maintain our commitment in this tension-ridden area.
Supported Project
In 2023-2024, the Foundation is supporting the 3 years project of the NGO Action Education, which aims to empower women by improving access, retention, and completion rates for vulnerable girls in the Central West Region of Burkina Faso, specifically focusing on Years 3, 4, and 5 of primary education. This project aims to:
- Facilitate access for 1,000 vulnerable girls, including 700 new school enrollments and 300 school re-integrations, across 30 communities with low school enrollment rates in the Centre-Ouest Region.
- Promote the retention and completion of the primary education cycle for 2,000 vulnerable girls in 30 communities spanning six municipalities in the Central West Region.
Some Figures
Budget 163,600 euros
Goal 2,000 beneficiaries
Testimony
"Educational talks to overcome obstacles to girls' educational continuity
In Burkina Faso, schooling is mandatory from ages 6 to 16 for all children. But unfortunately, this right is not a reality for all children, especially girls. And even when access to school is effective, maintaining attendance remains a challenge, as many obstacles need to be overcome. These include, among others, parents' lack of means, early marriages, early and unwanted pregnancies, prioritization of boys, poor management of menstruation, and domestic chores.
To help girls overcome obstacles to their continued education, the Girls' Education project (SCOLFILLE), implemented in partnership with the L'Occitane Foundation, organizes awareness talks for girls of all levels in intervention schools. The project team, teachers, and resource persons exchange ideas and advise girls on all difficulties related to continuing their education. For the schools of Obonon, Basnéré A, and Kinkirsgogo A, educational talks were organized respectively on January 15, 16, and 17, 2024, within the schools. In all three schools, 313 girls from CP1 to CM1 participated in the educational talks, which addressed several topics specific to each locality."
The local communication manager of Action Education
Photo credit for all visuals : Action Education
