WAG-ARC is changing the lives of urban slum girls to build self-esteem, participate actively in school academic and extra curriculum activities to realize their potential and contribute to the development of society. Leverage on our outreaches to government secondary schools in rural communities of the FCT, we provide special information sessions for female students, to educate them on the biological & physical make-up of their bodies, the beauty of their bodies and existence, what they need to know about their monthly cycle, how to embrace it.

Project Rationale

• We make provision of hygiene kits for female students who are up to menstrual age to encourage them on hygiene and decency during the menstrual period.
• We organize Counselling sessions and support to female students who struggle to embrace this part of their womanhood. This way, we enhance self-confidence/self-esteem amongst girls to reduce absenteeism and increase enrolment, retention and completion of girls’ education. Overall there is Behaviour change among male/female students on menstrual hygiene issues and disposal.
• Depending on budget, we provide access to safe water and improved hygiene promotion and friendly school sanitation facilities in the targeted schools. In effect, there is reduced chances of urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and dysmenorrhoea amongst girls in the targeted schools.

Justification for sustainability

Investments in school sanitation and hygiene education together can create improved learning environments, thereby facilitating increased attendance and retention of students. The impact is most pronounced among girl students when their special needs of adequacy and privacy are catered for. The full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by women and girls is essential for the advancement of women and should be a priority for everyone.

The World Conference on Human Rights reaffirmed clearly that the human rights of women throughout the life cycle are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The International Conference on Population and Development reaffirmed women’s reproductive rights and the right to development. Both the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees children’s rights and uphold the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of gender.