The "Ijutkau Tsakamu" ("Growing Together") women's circle empowers a Awajun girls in Imaza by providing a safe space where they feel seen, heard, and supported in developing their leadership skills. With an intercultural approach and in close collaboration with the community, we center their voices in the conversation around sexual violence in 9 schools - ensuring that they lead the dialogue and help shape the path forward.
In Imaza, Amazonas, Awajun girls face severe barriers to education. Sexual violence in schools is widespread-over 580 cases reported since 2010 with almost no justice. This forces many girls to drop out and live in fear. Early pregnancies and forced motherhood deepen exclusion: in rural Peru, 3 of 10 girls never finish secondary school, and in Imaza only 1 of 10 girls who start primary school will complete it. Culturally relevant education, Awajun girls remain at high risk of violence.
This project creates safe spaces for Awajun girls to build confidence, strengthen their voices, and learn about their rights. Through women's circles, they receive socio-emotional support and tools to confront violence and discrimination. Trained teachers provide mentorship with an intercultural and gender-sensitive approach, making education safer and more relevant. At the community level, dialogue with women leaders and families raises awareness and strengthens protection networks.
By creating safe spaces and strengthening intercultural education, this project will help Awajun girls stay in school, reduce early pregnancies, and break cycles of violence and exclusion. In the long term, empowered girls will become community leaders, promoting gender equity and inspiring new generations to value education. Teachers trained with intercultural and gender-sensitive approaches will continue applying these practices, while community networks will reinforce protection and advocacy.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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