Girl power in Burkina Faso: Two young women inspire a community

Sakinatou and Congo live in a community in a northern province of Burkina Faso. Here it is considered offensive to publicly discuss menstruation. So, girls during their period are forced to stay home to avoid being teased or mocked. Some eventually drop out of school, robbed of their rightful education due to a simple lack of hygiene. A problem most girls in Canada never need to consider.

But these two young women, 19 and 20, chose not to be silenced. They boldly stepped out to promote hygiene and the wellbeing of girls in their high school. Their awareness took a bigger turn after Children Believe and its local partner, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OCED), constructed two hygiene cabins at the school, equipping the girls with facilities to improve their living and learning conditions. They’ve been empowered to use their voice and remove a barrier to education for girls to learn and dream fearlessly.

A life-changing cabin

Girls deserve equal opportunities and the hygiene cabins constructed by Children Believe and the local partner have life-changing impact on the girls of the community. The power duo – Sakinatou and Fadilatou ignored criticisms and mockery by those who called them perverted girls. They boldly mobilized other girls through awareness sessions.

“The education advisor helps us to mobilize our classmates. The OCED staff support us through training in cabin management and menstrual management awareness,” Sakinatou happily explains.

The girls now feel supported by the community, their parents and female community leaders.

Promoting education and equality for girls

Children Believe help girls and boys enjoy equal opportunities to learn, lead and pursue their dreams. In Burkina Faso, girls like Falidotu and Salidotu have been empowered to follow their dreams and speak up against the stigma of menstrual health. Now, they can continue school, choose how they live their lives and pursue university education.

“I have just passed my baccalaureate exam and I plan to study science and technology at Joseph Ki Zebo University. I hope one day to become a chemist or chemistry teacher,” Fadilatou shares of her dreams of the future. Sakinatou plans to study law at the university.

In Burkina Faso, 830 girls clubs have been formed through Children Believe training and awareness campaigns, with 24,730 girls enrolled as members. This has been an inspiration to both the local community and partners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at promoting the education and wellbeing of girls.

Join us in empowering girls like Sakinatou and Fadilatou! Support Children Believe’s initiatives to promote education and hygiene in communities across Burkina Faso.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.