Establishing a Safe Space for young girls to reclaim Their Voices
Date Published:
Once upon a time, Yaounde, Cameroon was a safe town where the community looked out for its young residents. Growing up, we felt protected and supported by those around us. However, in recent times, the situation has changed dramatically. There has been a distressing increase in incidents of sexual abuse, rape, and gang rape targeting teenage girls. What's even more disheartening is that the blame is often placed on the victims themselves, with teenage girls being labeled as promiscuous, stubborn, and indecent. This unjust blame game has left these vulnerable girls feeling abandoned, voiceless, and without anyone to fight for them.
As someone deeply affected by this issue, my greatest wish is to establish a safe and supportive counseling hub specifically designed for young girls. This counseling hub will serve as a safe space where they can report cases of abuse, and receive the essential legal assistance and psychosocial support they desperately need. During my sensitization efforts, girls often ask me, "Where can we go for help?" This counseling hub will provide the answer they seek.
The existing space (one room space) , which my team and I strongly believe can be transformed into a comforting and conducive environment, holds the potential to become a welcoming and empowering space for young girls to open up and seek assistance. In addition to providing a platform for reporting cases, the home will provide educational resources, such as books, movie screenings, and podcasts, to empower and educate the girls. To bring this vision to life, we need to furnish 2 coaches, create a warm atmosphere with carpets and a fresh coat of paint, provide a laptop, projector, printer and screen for educational materials, as well as acquire informative books and three Android cellphones for communication purposes. Our dedicated team includes legal practitioners to guide the girls through the legal procedures, as well as case managers to offer personalized support.
To make this dream a reality, we require a budget of $10,000. This amount will cover the necessary furnishing and equipment costs to transform the space into a safe and empowering home for young girls. With your support, we can create a home that provides the support and resources these girls need to heal, grow, and reclaim their voices.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these young girls, empowering them to overcome their trauma, find justice, and rebuild their lives.
Below is a picture collage of the empty room and how we envisage to furnish it.
As someone deeply affected by this issue, my greatest wish is to establish a safe and supportive counseling hub specifically designed for young girls. This counseling hub will serve as a safe space where they can report cases of abuse, and receive the essential legal assistance and psychosocial support they desperately need. During my sensitization efforts, girls often ask me, "Where can we go for help?" This counseling hub will provide the answer they seek.
The existing space (one room space) , which my team and I strongly believe can be transformed into a comforting and conducive environment, holds the potential to become a welcoming and empowering space for young girls to open up and seek assistance. In addition to providing a platform for reporting cases, the home will provide educational resources, such as books, movie screenings, and podcasts, to empower and educate the girls. To bring this vision to life, we need to furnish 2 coaches, create a warm atmosphere with carpets and a fresh coat of paint, provide a laptop, projector, printer and screen for educational materials, as well as acquire informative books and three Android cellphones for communication purposes. Our dedicated team includes legal practitioners to guide the girls through the legal procedures, as well as case managers to offer personalized support.
To make this dream a reality, we require a budget of $10,000. This amount will cover the necessary furnishing and equipment costs to transform the space into a safe and empowering home for young girls. With your support, we can create a home that provides the support and resources these girls need to heal, grow, and reclaim their voices.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these young girls, empowering them to overcome their trauma, find justice, and rebuild their lives.
Below is a picture collage of the empty room and how we envisage to furnish it.
