The School Clubs are safe spaces in schools where topics related to sexual and reproductive health, teenage pregnancy prevention, prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and menstrual hygiene management are addressed.
During the official opening ceremony of the 2024/2025 school year, the Ministry of Education (MED), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Uíge Provincial Government, held an important parallel activity: the launch of the school clubs for the 2024/2025 school year.
On the occasion, the MED handed over a total of 7,950 menstrual hygiene kits to the Uíge provincial authorities, represented by the Vice-Governor for the Political, Social and Economic Sector, Mrs Sónia Arlete Domingos Cahombo, consisting of two menstrual briefs and a menstrual cycle control watch, 30 complaint boxes and information manuals to support the school clubs.
The event was chaired by the Vice-Governor of Uíge for the Political, Social and Economic Sector and the National Director for Pre-School and Primary Education, Dr Soraya Kalongela. Also present were the UNFPA national coordinator for sub-component 1.1 (Improving Access to Health Services and Information for Adolescents), Dulcineia Gonçalves, MED National Directors, the Provincial Director of Education in Uíge, municipal and school directors, gender focal points, the World Vision NGO team and mentors from the school clubs.
The complaint boxes will support the Suggestion and Complaint Resolution Mechanism to be implemented in schools. The aim is that this mechanism will create a safer school environment by following up on reports of abuse, harassment and exploitation that directly or indirectly involve the school community as a whole.
The Girls' Empowerment and Learning for All Project (PAT II) plans to set up school clubs in the 18 provinces and distribute 185,000 menstrual hygiene kits, 779 complaint boxes and information manuals to support the school clubs to a total of 779 schools.
The Girls' Empowerment and Learning for All Project (PAT II) is an initiative of the Government of Angola, financed by the World Bank, with sub-component 1.1 (Improving Access to Health Services and Information for Adolescents) being implemented by the Ministry of Education with technical assistance from UNFPA.
Redacção: Dorivaldo Caetano, Social media associate
