Support girls’ and boys’ safe return to school learning in response to the crisis in Mozambique
Since October 2017, Cabo Delgado Province has been facing an ongoing conflict with extreme violence perpetrated by Non-State Armed Groups, reportedly associated with ISIS. The nature and scope of violence have steadily increased over time with the insurgents having claimed entire districts and towns. As a result, the violence has displaced an estimated 723,000 persons.
Authorities have integrated internally displaced children into host-community schools. However, the host communities are poorly equipped and not properly supported to integrate the students who in many cases have faced trauma, are lacking basic materials, and have missed out on substantial learning due to school closures and displacement.
In response to this, and with funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Plan International Mozambique implemented the project “Education in Emergencies’’ which aimed to guarantee continuous access to formal, safe, quality, and inclusive education for internally displaced girls and boys in Chiúre District Cabo Delgado Province. The project was implemented in six targeted schools where internally displaced girls and boys have been supported with safe and inclusive quality formal education, so they can continue with their education and development.
The two key features of the project were to build and support safe learning environments (by improving school facilities and combating Gender-Based Violence), as well as training teachers on Psychosocial Support activities to reintegrate internally displaced children into the education system. The activities not only responded to immediate needs but also helped improve the resilience of local communities.
The project had a duration of six months, running from July 2021 to December 2021.
Outcomes:
- Internally displaced girls and boys show increased levels of enrolment in primary school within 9 – 6 months of completion of a formal education program.
- Affected girls and boys show increased well-being when attending primary education.
Impact:
- In overall, the project supported a total of 6.491 children aged between 6 to 20 years (3.121 girls and 3.370 boys).
- As a result of the project, girls feel more empowered and take part in decision-making processes at schools and in their communities. This is noted by the presence of 12 girls in the school councils and 2 girls leading students clubs in Katapua Sede and Chiúre Velho primary schools. As such, girls have a space to talk about their problems, concerns and needs in the girls’ clubs and propose solution to decision-makers.
- Furthermore, 24 gender-sensitive latrines were constructed to make girls feel more comfortable and safer when using them, and Gender-Based Violence and early/forced marriage messages were disseminated at schools and in communities, giving room for girls to know more about their rights and how to protect themselves.
- The project also provided school material to students and teachers as well as recreational and life skills kits for both host communities children and internally displaced children.
Learn more about Education in Emergencies here
