Discussions took place on the most effective ways to raise awareness of gender discrimination through the media

14 December, 2011: Discrimination against girls is a huge problem in Africa, particularly in Guinea-Bissau. From bullying in schools to female genital mutilation, girls are often left defenceless against acts of violence against them.

Addressing these issues of gender inequality through the media can raise awareness of how wrong they are and help put an end to the discrimination of girls.

As part of Plan’s Girls Making Media project in West Africa, Plan Guinea-Bissau recently worked with some 40 students, male and female, from the Bafata and Bissau regions to train them in communication techniques and to try and improve the quality of information produced in the media on issues related to girls and gender discrimination.

Some of the skills learned by the students included video making and photography as well as how to write articles and use social media.

“I was very interested to take part in the workshop because for the last three years I have participated in a local radio programme for the promotion of child rights. Girls should be respected and have the right to triumph in life,” explained Baonondje, a participant in the training and member of the committee.

“As group president I am determined to promote children’s rights, particularly girl’s rights, because girls are more discriminated against in our society,” Baonondje continued.

The next step

This year the government of Guinea-Bissau passed a law to make female genital cutting illegal. Although the law was passed, the practice still occurs in the country and , with Plan’s support, the group of students are planning to organise a radio debate and also a football match on National Women’s Day in January 2012 to help promote girls and women’s rights in the country.

Read more about Plan's work in Guinea-Bissau

Nowhere is this truer than in rural areas of developing countries. The distance between health centres or hospitals offering emergency care can be great. Ambulance services may or may not exist and sometimes, the closest clinic can be 150km away, with no sure fast transportation available to make the trip.

In Guinea Bissau, 69% of the population lives in rural areas, where the main economic activity is agriculture. This percentage of the population has limited access to primary health care; and following a serious accident must often travel up to 150km to reach the nearest regional hospital with emergency care. Children are a high risk group for injury or death from agricultural accidents.

To reduce risk and improve the ability of people to care for themselves, Plan Guinea Bissau developed a pilot first aid training project. For three days, 30 children and some Community Health Agents/ traditional midwifes received instruction on basic first aid principles.

“Children are often injured through accidents, or the first to arrive on the scene. This training empowers them with the ability to respond and help others in their community,” said Joelma Pereria a Plan spokesperson.

Practical Training

The first aid training teaches participants basic care and how to recognise when additional medical attention should be sought at a health centre or regional hospital. In addition to care for injuries including broken bones, cuts, and burns, participants also learned basic hygiene.
Some of the topics covered included:

• What basic hygiene steps prevent disease and contamination?
• Preparing and protecting yourself when providing first aid.
• How to stop bleeding and nosebleeds.
• Treating burns, wounds, snake bite and poisoning.
• Caring for a victim in shock.
• How and when to apply CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and rescue breathing.
• Identifying and stabilising bone fractures with splints.

In addition to lectures from instructors, the training was very hands-on and practical. Students would practice techniques such as splinting and bandaging on each other.

Next Step

After the training, participants left feeling ready to help members of their community in need.  “Now when someone is injured, we know how we can help and when we should seek medical attention,” said Plan Child Participation Group member Sulemane, a 12 year old boy from Gansantin community.

Following this successful pilot, Plan intends to repeat this training programme in 25 communities throughout rural Guinea Bissau reaching nearly 700 more children and adults. The training costs less than US $30 per person for the three-day curriculum.

With an investment of US $21,000 Plan is helping these rural communities achieve what could be a priceless return: saving lives.

To see Plan's First Aid Training in Guinea Bissau, click here.

During the celebration children could express their views on the issues affecting their lives

20 June 2011: On Wednesday 1st June, the First Lady of Guinea-Bissau Mrs. Mariama Mane Sanha officially launched the 15-day festivities around the celebration of the Day of the African Child. The event took place in the southeastern city of Buba in the presence of many organizations working with and for children in Guinea-Bissau.

The First Lady was joined on stage by the President of the Institute for Women and Children, Mrs Iracema do Rosario, Ms Satu Djassi, the Governor of BUBA region, the President of the Children's Parliamentarians Seco Ussumane Sidibe, UNICEF country Director and Ms Fadimata Alainchar, Plan country director. Many children participated in the celebration that was also attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, other UN agencies and the media.

“Since children are the best advocates for themselves, the launch of this fortnight celebration will be an opportunity for Guinea-Bissau’s children to express their views on the issues affecting their lives,” said Elber Nosolini, ROC Advisor for Plan Guinea Bissau. This has been illustrated by the declarations from both the president of the children’s parliament and the First Lady of Guinea-Bissau in their respective interventions:

"It is unfortunate that strikes constantly occur in our schools, teachers and authorities are barely recognizing that we, the school boys and girls of today as prospective leaders, need knowledge and skills to meet future expectations and growing global standards for development. We, the children of Guinea-Bissau, will never stop saying to our government that the better way to ensure a safer future for the people of this country is to invest in our education,” said Seco Ussumane Sidibe, 16-year-old President of the Children's Parliamentarians.

Echoing Seco’s notes, Mrs Sanha First Lady of Guinea-Bissau, said: "As parents we have the responsibility to educate, love and support our children; the children of today are the adults of tomorrow so the next generation depends on us. But we can't do this alone we need support, collaboration of partners like Plan Guinea Bissau, UNICEF, and others to achieve the best for our children."

The fortnight celebrations will continue with several cultural activities such as drawing competition, radio debates, dance and exhibitions.

Read more about Plan's work in Guinea- Bissau.

Children active with a Plan Health Club in Guinea Bissau parade through a community to raise awareness to the dangers and stop female genital cutting (FGC)

9 June 2011: On 6 June 2011, the Government of Guinea Bissau passed two laws that will help protect women and children throughout the country. The laws criminalize the trafficking of children and outlaw the practice of female genital cutting (FGC).

Since 2005 Plan Guinea Bissau, UNICEF, UNFPA and many other civil society organizations have been advocating for an official and stronger positioning of the government against harmful traditional practices such as child trafficking and female genital mutilation. Working with partners inside and outside the government, Plan has undertaken research, conferences, public education campaigns- all designed to promote the policy.

In Guinea Bissau, FGC and child trafficking impact thousands of children annually. Plan research indicates that 44.5% of women ages 15- 49 are or have been subjected to FGC which is viewed in many traditional communities as a religious obligation. Low estimates of 200 children per month are trafficked from Guinea Bissau to other countries to perform forced labour, begging or sexual exploitation. In most cases, small boys are taken by religious leaders, marabous who exploit them; 30% of children beggars in Dakar are from Guinea-Bissau (UCW 2007).

Ms. Nhima Cisse a Member of Parliament, outspoken advocate for women’s rights and herself a victim of FGC noted the dangers, “I nearly hemorrhaged to death following the birth of my first child who also died as a consequence of the FGC done to me as a girl. This legislation is the first step in realizing the rights of women and children.”

“By adopting the laws on child trafficking and sexual female genital mutilation, Parliament is recognizing children’s rights as human beings and is creating the space within which substantial information and support will be provided to families and communities to better understand and work towards the elimination of these practices that violate their rights,” said Plan Guinea- Bissau Country Director Fadimata Alainchar. “Plan Guinea-Bissau will work with children and their communities to reinforce these laws and make the change”. 

Read more about Plan's work in Guinea- Bissau.

The BIAAG launch event gathered many partners including NGOs, media and government officials

February 2011: On 30th January, Plan Guinea-Bissau together with high level government officials launched the 2010 “Because I am a Girl” report, under the theme: "Digital and Urban Frontiers: Girls in a Changing Landscape.”

The ceremony was opened by Guinea-Bissau’s First Lady, Mrs Mariama Mane Sanha in a presence of Minister of Family and Women, Mrs Maria Lurdes Vaz, the President of the Institute for Women and Children, Mrs Iracema do Rosario, and the Vice President of the Children's Parliamentarians, Miss Erica da Silva Danti.   

“As parents we have the responsibility to educate, love and support our children. Children of today are the adults of tomorrow, we create next generations. But to support this process, we need to collaborate with all partners involved in the issues of child wellbeing,” said Mrs Mariama Mane Sanha opening the ceremony.

Celebrating National Women’s Day

The date of the official launch was not coincidental as it represents a special day for the people of Guinea-Bissau: on 30th January female independence fighter, Titina Sila, was murdered some 38 years ago when the country struggled to break free from colonial forces. Since then, Guinea-Bissau has marked the day as National Women’s Day in memory of her heroine.

“Today, 30th January, we celebrate the bravery and the importance of women of Guinea-Bissau. It represents for us a day of reflection on what we have done so far to honor our heroes," concluded the Minister, Mrs Maria Lurdes Vaz.

The officials also emphasized the importance of educating girls on risks and opportunities of city living and the Internet

The "Because I am a Girl" launch event gathered more than 200 partners including representatives of UN agencies, president advisors, military women association, local and international media, civil society, several NGOs working for women’s and children’s rights.

"The 2010 report argues that girls need to acquire the necessary skills to protect themselves and recognize what represents a threat or an opportunity for them on the city streets and online. In Guinea-Bissau due to the poverty and prejudice many girls are deprived of taking advantages of the possibilities on offer. We hope that with the report girls will be more able to identify the prospects and perils and will feel safer in their cities,” concluded Fadimata Alainchar, Plan Guinea-Bissau's Country Director.

Read more about Plan's work in Guinea-Bissau.

This school in Bafata was destroyed in the storms

The Bafata and Gabu regions of Guinea-Bissau have been hit by unusually strong summer storms which have destroyed homes and infrastructure.

A total of 453 families have been forced to leave their homes, including 80 Plan-sponsored children. Plan Guinea-Bissau (GNB) has reacted through the immediate provision of food to communities and cholera prevention campaigns.

Families affected have been forced to seek shelter with nearby relatives and friends. Schools, health centres, latrines and mango and cashew nut plantations have been either damaged or destroyed in the storms.

"The strong wind destroyed the roof of our house," said Seco, an 8 year old boy from the Nema community.

Help at hand

Mariama, from the Pista community in Bafata, said: “We were afraid the house walls might fall down on us and our children, so we decided to seek shelter in our neighbour’s house.”

But working in partnership with local government agencies in the affected areas, Plan GNB has been distributing 50kg of rice and 1 litre of cooking oil to each affected family.

“We immediately received food aid and support from the government and Plan,” said Mariama.

Health a priority

What’s more, Plan has immediately started helping communities rebuild their health centres and latrines. It is expected that repairs to schools will be completed before the new term starts at the end of September.

In terms of health, our priority is to reduce the possibility of water-borne diseases including cholera through a prevention campaign: Plan is distributing medicine and disinfectant at local health centres, sending teams to disinfect family and public latrines, and has set up cleaning points in public places such as markets. 

Seco with the oil and food his family received

Ongoing support

An appeal for the recovery has been launched and is being supported by the local government and other humanitarian organisations. Plan GNB technical staff are helping coordinate the emergency response through assessments and planning activities.

Most families have already started rebuilding their homes and lives. With the ongoing support of our sponsors, Plan GNB will be able to help communities repair damaged and destroyed schools to prevent children’s education from being disrupted. 

Read more about Plan’s work in Guinea-Bissau

The President of Guinea-Bissau, right, and the Minister of Women, Children, Family and the Fight against poverty, left, at the ceremony

16 June 2010: “Plan is an example to be followed by all working organisations in the country,” declared Mr. Malam Bacai Sanha, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

At the closing ceremony of a fortnight of activities celebrating the International Day of the Child and the African Day of the Child, the President gave a presentation in which he praised Plan as an example to be followed for the international community and other NGOs in the country. 

Creating a secure future

He encouraged Plan to continue their work improving Bissau-Guinean children’s lives and helping them create a secure future. The event also marked Plan’s 15th anniversary in the country.

The recent national census also highlights Plan’s major role in children’s development there: Bafata and Gabu, the 2 areas where Plan works, were ranked 1st and 2nd respectively out of all 9 regions in the country for access to basic services, such as schools and health facilities. Yet in 1995 when Plan started work in Guinea-Bissau, they were the worst.  

Great atmosphere

Cherno, a member of a Plan partner community at the event, said to the audience: “My community has changed now, more children go to school, and our medical needs are taken care of, the community is cleaner, there is less conflict, our children attend and participate in the community meetings and help us solve some problems…”

At the closing ceremony, children and adults enjoyed the celebrations and the great atmosphere. At the entrance, there was an art exhibition of paintings and photographs done by the children about their rights. The children’s choir also gave an outstanding performance. 

Valuable contribution

The children's choir singing and dancing at the ceremony

At the end of the event, the Children’s Foundation (Fundação o Ninho da Criança ) lead by First Lady Mariama Mane Sanha awarded Plan Guinea-Bissau and UNICEF a Diploma of Merit for their valuable contribution for the promotion of child rights and development in Guinea-Bissau.

The fortnight of activities included radio programmes presented by the children, sporting events and cultural activities such as theatre portraying their rights, and were sponsored by Plan Guinea Bissau, UNICEF, the European Commission and the Government of Guinea-Bissau.

2 girls pose for the camera in fancy dress

13 February 2010: Plan Guinea-Bissau has held its 5th annual Children’s Carnival in Bafata, under the theme ‘Gender Equality.’

The main objective of this year’s carnival, sponsored by the EU, was to give the children an opportunity to publicly express their opinions on issues that affect them in their communities.

Through drama sketches, poetry and dances, the children gave their views on the importance of equal rights and opportunities for both girls and boys.

Girls also highlighted the problems affecting them such as poor access to education, sexual violence and forced marriage.

Before the carnival, 72 schools, bringing together nearly 2000 children, received training in children’s rights, through which they learnt the importance of gender equality and the positive impact girls can have on their communities and their society. For the main event, 9 schools from the Bafata and Gabu regions were selected to take part.

When Fatumata, a 13 year old girl who participated in the event, was asked about girls’ increasing participation in the community, she said: “Now everyone is talking about girls and looking at us differently. We feel more important now. It is working!”

Local radio stations Radio Comunirtaria de Bafata and Radio Sol Mansi covered the event live, allowing the children’s message to reach all the communities of Bafata.

Aliu's winning picture of gender equality

11 January 2010: On International Women’s Day (8th March 2009), Plan launched a European Union initiated global drawing competition on the topic “Gender Equality” in Guinea–Bissau (GNB). The competition allowed 10-14 year old girls and boys from 20 schools in Bissau and Bafata to express their views on the topic of gender equality.

Plan held 2 workshops with 180 children from 6 child participation groups and from 6 different communities. The objective of the workshops was to educate and sensitise the children on gender equality and teach them drawing skills in preparation for the competition. Plan GNB provided all the necessary art materials for the activities.

From the 180 drawings that resulted from the workshop, 36 were selected (6 from each group) by a panel of judges consisting of the President of the Bafata Children’s Parliament and one representative each from Plan GNB, the Ministry of Culture and the French Cultural Centre in Guinea Bissau (in accordance with EU criteria). 

The picture of gender equality

After the drawings were selected, they were submitted to the European Commission in Guinea Bissau. 

Closing date for submission of drawings was May 15th. A jury consisting of European children selected 14 drawings from around the globe, one of which was done by Aliu, aged 14, from Guinea-Bissau.

Aliu's drawing depicted a man and a woman together, preparing a meal. He understood that this task should be shared by both men and women alike. That is how he envisaged gender equality. 

Boys and girls allowed to do the same things

On November 26th 2009 the European Commission held the official prize-giving ceremony for the participants from Guinea-Bissau. The Head of the European Delegation in Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Franco Nulli, gave Aliu his prize.

“My parents were very proud about this recognition. My friends were very happy and promised that in the next competition we would win more prizes. Everyday they enjoy themselves with the video game I won."

I ask my friends to study hard because our community and Guinea-Bissau expects a lot from us. Aliu also explained: “Boys and girls should be allowed to do the same things, for example, boys can be footballers so girls should be footballers too.”

Read about what we do in Guinea-Bissau