Problem

In French-speaking Africa, girls in rural areas have particular disadvantages: little access to education and family planning, highly traditional expectations about gender roles, and early marriage. Education, whether it be formal or informal, substantially increases their chances of having a better quality and longer life.

The Gift

FCI conducted a study in rural West Africa to identify the family planning and reproductive health needs of rural girls, and opportunities for education and livelihood. In Mbienina, Mali, one village included in the study, the majority of older girls (16-21), nearly all of whom are married, had been forced to leave school, have virtually no information about or access to family planning, and have a strong wish for literacy training and income generation. At the girls’ request, FCI launched a village-level project integrating family planning and life-skills information with basic literacy and numeracy training. After six months, the girls were able to do basic reading and writing in their local language and were much better informed about family planning and broader health issues. Village chiefs asked FCI to expand the project to the remaining nine villages in the larger community. Your contribution of $9,900 will pay for this expansion.