On November 11, 2010, the National Day for Girls' Education in Senegal, a ceremony was organized at the Hôtel de Région of Kolda (Senegal) to formalize the renewal of the educational project led by Aide et Action, Unicef and the Senegalese Ministry of Education. 20 young girls from schools in the region were present. They will be among the first to be educated in schools equipped with wells, latrines, fences and teaching materials. All these elements will encourage Senegalese families to send their children, especially girls, to school. A total of 50 schools will be equipped by the end of 2011.
140 schools equipped in 4 years
"Girls are the most vulnerable groups in situations of extreme family poverty. The issue of their schooling must be a concern shared by all", insisted Mrs. Christina Debruin, UNICEF Representative during the official ceremony, which was also attended by the Deputy Governor of the region, the prefects and the deputy mayor of Kolda as well as many national education inspectors. Oumar Niang, Aide et Action's Project Manager, recalled that the NGO's aim was always "to act for a world where dignity is ensured for all, thanks to education, a lever for human development". He also explained that the project was constantly evolving and improving. For example, latrines were installed in 2009 to meet the needs of children with disabilities and facilitate their access to education.
Carried out for three years by Aide et Action and its partners, the program has already improved schooling conditions in more than 90 schools in the departments of Kolda and Medina Yoro Foulah (southern Senegal). This is a considerable first step, but it should not stop there. The Deputy Governor of the Kolda region asked all actors to redouble their efforts to achieve the objectives of quality education for all in the region. He expressed the wish that the children present at the ceremony would succeed in their studies in order to carry out similar development projects in their turn.
Girls' and women's education was chosen as a priority area of intervention during Aide et Action's 2nd General Assembly in 2004. The 3rd General Assembly of the association, which aims at enriching and developing its action, will be held in 2011.
