The Forum of African Women Educators (FAWE Burkina), in collaboration with the Youth Network for Peace and Development of the Eastern Region (RJPD), organized, on May 17, 2024, a meeting to monitor the commitments of political decision-makers for the well-being of adolescents and young people in the Eastern region.
On July 28, 2023, the Eastern Youth Advocacy Group, an initiative of the Forum of African Women Educationalists (FAWE Burkina), in collaboration with the Youth Network for Peace and Development of the Eastern Region (RJPD ), had pleaded with political decision- makers, during a regional meeting organized as part of the activities of the ‘Break Free’ program, so that they facilitate the creation of modern toilets for the benefit of young girls. This is for good management of their menstrual hygiene.
Also, the young people had ‘strongly’ wanted the organization of screening campaigns for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS in particular, as well as the holding of awareness sessions on
sexual and reproductive health (SRH) at Lycée Diaba Lompo and at Hampali High School.
Finally, young people were keen that an effective mechanism for access to information on sexual and reproductive health would be put in place. Responding favorably to these requests, the authorities made a commitment, during this regional meeting, to use all their weight to satisfy the grievances expressed. Ten months after the event, decision-makers and young people met on May 17, 2024, to assess the state of implementation of these commitments. It was during a regional meeting called monitoring the 2023 commitments.
According to Job Oscar Thiombiano, coordinator of the RJPD, the relay structure of FAWE Burkina, most of the commitments have been kept. As proof, he indicated, toilets have been rehabilitated for the benefit of young girls and several awareness campaigns on SRH have been organized in schools. Better, he continued, educators were appointed in each high school.
Their role is to supervise young girls and provi
de them with all information on SRH. Listening to the principal of Hampali high school, Clémence Diabouga, all these actions have contributed to the well-being of adolescents. ‘Our high school has benefited from several training sessions. At the end of these sessions, we noticed a change in behavior among the young girls.
They are diligent and participate more in running the classes,’ she declared. Former beneficiary of FAWE Burkina, the 1st vice-president of the special delegation of the commune of Fada N’Gourma, Ernest Natama welcomed the forum’s commitment to this vulnerable segment of the population.
‘Act more’
However, noted Job Oscar Thiombiano, the construction of modern toilets adapted to the menstrual hygiene of young girls is a challenge to be taken up. In fact, he explained that the insufficiency of financial resources limits the scope of action of decision-makers, especially since the priority today remains the security issue. However, he proposed, the group of young people can initiate advocac
y actions with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a view to mobilizing funds for the construction of these health infrastructures.
For the coordinator of FAWE Burkina, Camille Badini, despite the difficulties, the ‘Break Free’ program is doing well in the Eastern region. ‘We have performed well and the lessor is satisfied,’ he said.
To achieve more results, the advocacy group’s spokesperson, Yempani Lompo called on policymakers to take more action. ‘Dear decision-makers, the difficulties linked to menstrual management and access to quality information and services on SRH in our schools truly constitute obstacles to the academic success of girls. The time to act is now,’ she said.
A message received ‘5 out of 5’ by the high commissioner of the province of Gourma, Silas Nacanabo. Indeed, the provincial authority reiterated its commitment to supporting FAWE Burkina and its partners in the implementation of the ‘Break Free’ program.
In all cases, a local committee to monitor commitments was set up imm
ediately.
As a reminder, the ‘Break Free’ program was launched in 2021 by a consortium made up of Plan international Burkina Faso, FAWE and the SRHR Africa Trust, represented in Burkina by AFRIYAN. It is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Source: Burkina Information Agency