Pilot Workshop on Sexual Reproductive Health

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In March 2021, we launched a new project on Global Giving with a focus on Gender Equity and Girls' Education. The objectives of the project was to address the root causes that hinder girls' retention and poor attendance in school.  Later, we opened these workshops to boys as well, who have shown particular interest in aspects of sexual and reproductive health, mental health awareness, and the effects of gaming.

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In April 2021, we held our first Global Giving Project Pilot workshop. Twenty-five girl students and some of their mothers attended the workshop. We were pleased to have the organization Talula Cup with us to hold a presentation on menstruation and puberty, as well as introduce the menstrual cup. The audience asked many questions, and the overall response to the menstrual cup was very positive. Ten volunteer girls (five from the Bauleni Special Needs Project and five from the Chance4all program) received the menstrual cup and have been regularly reporting on the benefits, how they are managing with it, and its impact on their school attendance and retention. The workshop also featured a nurse from Bauleni Clinic who discussed important topics such as sexuality, sexually transmitted infections, and contraceptive methods. Additionally, our Chance4all volunteer counsellor held a session on mental well-being, gender equity, and gender-based violence.

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From March 2021 to 2024, we conducted 16 workshops with different groups of girls and Boys from the Bauleni Special Needs Project and local public schools. In late 2021, we began inviting boy students to attend these workshops, and they have shown great interest in topics such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health awareness, addiction, and gaming.  We have also added a presentation on climate change at a basic level to create awareness and inform the community about what they can do to help.  Now, these workshops reach over 500 students yearly, both girls and boys.

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These sensitization workshops have become necessary to discuss sexual and reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and the importance of staying in school for better health and socio-economic outcomes.

 

Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to expand our workshops beyond the Bauleni area to a broader area of Zambia where the need is greatest and the dropout rate for girls is high.

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