Project Update: Health Team Hosts Girls Sexual Health Training

The CYFI Health Team recently concluded a four-day training workshop on girls sexual health.

The CYFI health team held a 4-day training workshop on girls' sexual health promotion in Bariga last week. The training was organized for approximately 160 girls within the age range of 10-18 in secondary schools in Bariga.

The objectives of the training program were to increase the knowledge of young girls on sexual and reproductive health, develop the leadership abilities in participants so they can become girl sexual health promoters, empower the participants with life skills to enable them make the right decisions in life, and provide a guide for young girls through which they can educate their peers.

The training sessions were done by facilitators from HACEY’s Health Initiatives and Project Stretch, who were assisted by volunteers from Beyond the Classroom Foundation. Girls were trained on topics like personal and menstrual hygiene, adolescent and reproductive health, sexual health awareness and promotion, leadership and life skills.

Participants shared their experiences, and asked questions on issues concerning their development. Issues which elicited the most discussion from the students include sexual and reproductive rights, teenage pregnancy, and rape. Participants also expressed their dissatisfaction with guardians and community members who do not show enough support to young girls. Participants were encouraged to speak with school counselors, their parents, and trustworthy elders who can help them with their problems.

At the end of the training, the participants showed a marked increase in understanding of various issues and a positive adjustment in their thought; they committed to be girl sexual health promoters, and to educate their peers on sexual and reproductive health issues.

Participants discussed issues like teen pregnancy, rape and reproductive rights.