Zoundw©ogo: The Network for the Promotion and Empowerment of Rural Women (REPAFER) began a two-day training course on Tuesday on youth sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and life skills for members of 11 school clubs, with the aim of combating school dropouts.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the initiative follows the establishment of six school clubs in post-primary and secondary schools in the province of Zoundw©ogo and five additional clubs in Kourw©ogo. The training session focuses on equipping young people with knowledge about sexual and reproductive health rights and essential life skills, as highlighted by Christine Compaor©, chair of the REPAFER board of directors.
“The goal is that, at the end of the day, the members of these clubs can be role models for their peers and have the necessary tools to help in the fight against gender-based violence, which is the cause of many school dropouts,” stated Compaor©. The initiative has also gained the support of Issiaka Son, the director of secondary education and vocational and technical training in Zoundw©ogo, who praised the creation of school clubs as a significant step toward supporting inclusive education and addressing gender-based violence.
“When you have a partner committed to supporting you in this direction, you only have words of thanks for them,” Son remarked, acknowledging REPAFER’s role in this project.
According to Ms. Compaor©, the creation and training of school clubs by REPAFER is part of the Yam Pukri program, implemented with the technical and financial backing of Girl First Fund. In both Zoundw©ogo and Kourw©ogo, each school club comprises 15 members with an office that includes three girls and two boys, tasked with promoting values such as responsible sexuality, citizenship, social cohesion, and peace among students.
Ultimately, the objective is to retain students in school while advocating for quality education, as emphasized by Christine Compaor©.