Problem

Only 16% of girls in Niger (aged of 15-24) are literate; 39% of school-age girls are enrolled in primary school; only 5% in secondary school. Girls in Niger are married on average by the age of 15 and more than a third have their first child before17. Contraceptive use is among the lowest in the world at less than 6%, while maternal deaths are among the highest at 1,600 per 100,000 births.

The Gift

Although the needs of girls in Niger for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is great, most SRH programs are implemented in formal school settings where there are very few girls. Programs at youth centers are rarely attended by girls who are often restricted to chores in and around the home and have little free time. FCI implemented a successful pilot project to introduce a structured SRH and life skills program in five vocational training centers in Niamey, Niger. Now, we want to address gaps identified in the project’s assessment. Specifically, to revise the program to place greater emphasis on contraceptive methods, negotiating sexuality, contraception and protection in the context of marriage (the majority of girls are married young and have their first sexual experience within this context.) Your contribution of $7,500 will pay for the revised program to be implemented in five to seven additional vocational centers in Niamey.