On March 27, the initial training for young Malian peer educators participating in the Jades project began in Bamako. This five-day event provided an opportunity for 25 young people and adolescents to strengthen their knowledge of STIs and AIDS, family planning, and contraception, as well as to learn about peer education techniques and the concept of leadership.
The Jades Project for the sexual and reproductive health of young people in Mali and Niger
Coordinated by Solthis, the project aims to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among young people and adolescents in Mali and Niger in order to reduce new infections and mortality linked to HIV/AIDS and early or unwanted pregnancies. This project has been implemented since early 2016 with the NGO Lafia Matassa in Niger and the NGOs ASDAP and Walé in Mali. For its part, Equipop contributes its expertise in SRHR.
The first few months, devoted to participatory diagnostics, helped create the conditions for widespread acceptance of the project and strengthened the willingness of national stakeholders to work together on issues related to young people's emotional and sexual lives.
At the end of 2016, the project entered its operational phase with activities in social and health facilities and schools involving leaders and young people. In each of the two countries, more than 20 young people were identified to benefit from skills development in order to carry out awareness-raising activities among their peers and participate in social and political mobilization activities to promote SRHR. After an initial training session in Niamey, Niger, Equilibres & Populations traveled to Bamako from March 27 to March 31 for a week rich in learning.
A participatory and productive training program
Twenty-five girls and boys aged 16 to 24, both in and out of school, from community counseling centers and youth associations such as AJCAD and the Association des Aides Familiales, participated and actively contributed to the work. The program included debates, learning sessions, group work, role-playing, and simulations.
To begin this training, Equipop members worked with young people to develop a shared understanding of the project, its activities, and its challenges. Next, the concepts of young people's sexual and reproductive rights and health, as well as their effectiveness in Mali, were gradually explored.
By strengthening their knowledge, they were able to address many issues relating to the genitals, puberty, sexually transmitted infections, early pregnancy, prevention and contraception, condom use, and gender-based violence. Communication techniques were also shared with participants, who, through fun exercises and discussions, identified the best approaches and attitudes to adopt in order to effectively convey the information they have to their peers.
"Leadership is about committing to something in order to bring about change. The goal is not to be seen or to have authority. Providing information about planning saves lives. It's a duty." Adam Dicko
The participation of two young Malian PF champions, Adam Dicko and Edouard Keita, provided an opportunity to emphasize the crucial role that the younger generation must play in social change and the promotion of rights. The two champions shared their commitments and encouraged young people to overcome difficulties to become leaders and change perceptions and prejudices.
Sharing information with peers: a challenge to be met!
To put their knowledge into practice, the young people organized simulated discussions on topics related to SRHR, such as different methods of contraception and female genital mutilation.
These exercises enabled the young people to:
- better understand the issues related to communication activities for social change, including pedagogy, kindness, and the need to know how to guide and refer people to competent structures or individuals
- be prepared to deal with possible resistance from target audiences.
This training will soon be replicated in Ségou, the second intervention zone in Mali, by the project's partner associations and Solthis' community mobilization officer, who also attended the training. Equipop will be pleased to work with young people again to continue strengthening their capacities and supporting them in implementing social or political mobilization actions to promote their SRHR.
