Local partner:Project for human development(PHD)
European partner: Bio Medical University in Rome

Duration:1 year.
Cost:13,200 euros (finance shared with the Bio Medical University in Rome)

Background: In Africa, exposure to all diseases, but especially to infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, highly correlates with poor living conditions, personal hygiene and the relevant knowledge of primary prevention of the diseases, avoiding risky behavior, etc. Nigeria has an epidemic of such diseases and soon it will be home to more people living with HIV than any other country in Africa. Those most affected are women and children. It is widely known that, due to various social customs, young Nigerian girls are especially vulnerable to risky conduct that leads to HIV/AIDS. Besides a health education strategy, an authentic social defense is also required to promote the holistic well-being of school age girls.

Objective: While the Biomedical University of Rome takes care of educating the young women with appropriate scientific knowledge about personal health, the human body and sexuality, our commitment is to strengthen character and build self-esteem in adolescent girls in 13 rural schools through specific extracurricular socio-cultural activities. By introducing the young women to positive role models of women leaders in History, Theater, the Arts, Fashion and Literature, – both African-and-Internationally-recognized—, the girls will be allowed to discover their potential role on the world stage. By raising their cultural awareness of a world much larger than their immediate environs, the Harambee aspect of the program provides a deep-rooted strategy for a more complete emancipation of the African woman through cultural enrichment. The young girls will discover for themselves not only greater self-knowledge, but a broader world consciousness too. The girls will be encouraged to emulate the intelligence, imagination and overall awareness of human dignity which empowers women (the world over) to understand the value of their minds, bodies and spirits. Instead of limiting itself to technical and scientific knowledge alone, this pro-active, holistic education points the girls toward a more intelligent and hopeful, personal and collective future.

Beneficiaries :
50 students from secondary schools in each of the 13 rural schools which participate in the programme of qualification. In total:650 students of a secondary school level.