African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mentorship program empowers Somali girls
For 14-year-old Dhobley Primary School pupil Ilhan Jimcaale Abdi, life has taken a dramatic turn for the better.
Ilhan has experienced a profound transformation since receiving the hygiene kit, which has boosted her confidence and allowed her to focus on her studies.
“Before the ATMIS Women’s Engagement Team introduced us to the program, we were staying at home. We had a negative perception of education, but now this has changed and we attend school regularly. We are grateful to ATMIS for enabling us to stay in school through this program ,” Ilhan said.
“I can now focus on my studies and dream about my future,” she added with a bright smile on her face.
Ilhan is one of 270 girls at Dhobley Primary School who benefit from a three-year mentoring program led by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Female Engagement Team (FET) and the Dhobley Women’s Association.
Counseling sessions focus on personal hygiene and self-care. Each participant learns how to manage their menstrual cycle and receives a hygiene kit containing basic products such as sanitary napkins, soap, and other materials needed to maintain proper hygiene.
“Through our ongoing mentoring and education programs, we not only provide girls with sanitary products, we also provide them with the knowledge and encouragement to look after their health with confidence and make them aware that through education they can achieve anything they want ,” said Capt. Valarie Shikuku, ATMIS Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) Gender Officer.
For many girls in Dobli, menstruation has historically hindered their education, with many girls missing school during their periods due to a lack of resources, knowledge and social stigma. However, a partnership between ATMIS FET and Dhobley Women’s Association is addressing these challenges.
“ATMIS has helped us a lot with our education, providing study materials and personal hygiene items, and we are very grateful for all this,” said student and beneficiary Ikhlaas Ibrahim Arte.
Under the programme, the ATMIS KDF Women’s Engagement Team and Dhobley Women’s Association have been creating awareness and providing practical support to girls and women in the local community. The initiative empowers women and girls in Dobli and ensures that girls can go to school without fear of embarrassment related to menstruation.
Fatima Abdi, chairperson of Dobli Girls’ School, said: “Last year many girls became more confident about returning to school and this year more girls are joining our program because they know they will not be affected by menstruation. Absent from class.” Association.
“By providing menstrual hygiene products and creating a supportive environment, we remove major barriers to their education,” she added, referring to low school enrollment rates for girls in the Federal Member State of Somalia (FMS) due to social, economic reasons . and cultural reasons.
As part of the programme, the ATMIS KDF Women’s Engagement Team and Dhobley Women’s Association recently organized a coaching session at Dhobley Primary School to mark World Children’s Day. They educate girls about personal hygiene and self-care, key topics that directly impact their schooling and academic success.
Mentors also donated balls, football equipment and books to boys at the school to raise awareness of girls’ right to education and destigmatize menstruation.
“We sincerely thank the ATMIS Women Engagement Team for their excellent efforts in creating awareness among female students. The valuable information and guidance they provide has greatly empowered our students and equipped them with the knowledge to take better care of themselves,” Do said Sadia Madobe, a teacher at Bulli Primary School.
Through the mentoring programme, ATMIS KDF Women Engagement Team and Dhobley Women’s Association aim to increase girl child school enrollment and minimize dropout rates.
The goal is to facilitate girls’ transition to higher education, increase the number of female professionals and promote long-term economic empowerment. This will create a generation of girls and women equipped to lead, thrive and contribute to the prosperity of their communities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
