Women Campaign International (WCI) and WGV implemented a four-week pilot program, “Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy (RAP) in the Era of COVID-19,” in August-September 2020. Engaging 15 adolescent girls per week in socially-distant gatherings, WCI and WGV provided participants with critical resources, support, and information on COVID-19, the female reproductive system, menstruation, safe sex, and healthy relationships, equipping girls with the knowledge and resources they need to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and COVID-19. The RAP pilot program had a strong focus on building understanding around personal health and ensuring that participants feel confident in their ability to make healthy decisions moving forward.
We also know that when girls are menstruating without proper products, or are hungry, they are less likely to attend gatherings and be active participants. To address these needs, each participant was provided with a resource package including PPE, underwear, toilet paper, pads, condoms, lotion, and food.
Through these efforts, WCI and WGV are working to ensure that more girls will return to school after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) model, WCI ensures that every program is culturally relevant and builds local leadership capacity. Our trainers not only gain the skills to conduct workshops, but are also able to integrate lessons with a refined local knowledge of the needs and resources in their communities.