There are months when Viola endured her monthly period without feminine hygiene products because her parents could not afford them. She is now able to make and utilize reusable sanitary pads, as well as educate other adolescent girls on how to do so, passing down the skills she learned during her safe space sessions.
Children’s Rights and Violence Prevention Fund’s (CRVPF), Adolescent Girl’s Power Programme (AGPP) supports adolescent girls, a commonly marginalised demographic, to acquire vocational skills, financial literacy, sexual and reproductive health knowledge, and build their confidence and agency to decrease potential instances of sexual and physical violence. These skills and knowledge are offered to groups of adolescent girls during weekly sessions called “safe spaces” that are overseen by partners. Viola is a participant of one of the twelve Safe Spaces in Kampala, Uganda and this is her story.
Viola, 20, was in her third year of secondary school when the Ugandan government imposed a two-year lock-down and school closure to curb the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic. Like several school-going Ugandans, she was left idle, not being able to go to school or work. Her friend, on the other hand, invited her to a safe space gathering.
“My friend told me about these safe spaces where I could go and meet other girls my age and learn new skills like how to braid hair, how to make pads, liquid soap and so many other things.”
Viola joined a safe space near her home and learned an array of skills, including how to produce sanitary pads, an essential item she and several women around the world require. She was able to make and use these sanitary pads without relying on her parents to buy them for her, who, like many others throughout the world, were experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the global economic slowdown. In fact, because of the skills she obtained during safe space sessions, she was able to contribute financially and support her family during the two-year lock-down.
“We also learned how to make liquid soap, which we would sell and share the money we made. The money I made helped my family and I to survive during COVID.”
Viola’s knowledge and skills acquired during safe space meetings extended beyond learning to produce and sell items. She was able to complete a six-month Information Communications Technology (ICT) course taught by the Central Cluster (Action for Fundamental Change and Development and Serving Lives Under Marginalization) supported by Children’s Rights and Violence Prevention (CRVPF), Adolescent Girls’ Power Program Grant, which she recently graduated from. Viola interned in a shop as part of her six-month vocational training to enhance her job readiness and gain a professional qualification.
“I had always wanted to learn ICT.” My father did not have the money to take me back to school when they opened after the COVID 19 lock-down, so I took this chance to learn it.”
Viola’s internship and practical training not only helped her form her future dreams of opening a stationary shop, but also improved the way her safe space conducts business. “Through my ICT course, I learnt that my safe space could market our liquid soap online, for example through social media.”
Today, Viola is a peer mentor to other adolescent girls in a newly established safe space, where she teaches them skills she has learned and assists them in navigating life. She aspires to open a stationary store and help young girls who are vulnerable, to reach their full potential.