Life Skills and Peer Education for Chadian Youth

One of many consequences of Covid-19 in Chad is increased exposure of kids and youth to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Even though SGBV has already been a problem before the pandemic, there is a tendency that Covid-19 exacerbates SGBV. Due to closed schools and universities, youth and children stay at home where they can also be exposed to domestic violence. Early and forced marriages are also common in the communities of Chad.

The Life Skills and peer education Project in N’Djamena tackles this problem advocating for the enforcement of laws against sexual and gender-based violence in two districts of N'Djamena. It was found that these phenomena are experienced in these communities, but not reported. Some of the identified obstacles to the reporting of SGBV are the lack of knowledge of the law and shame and fear of stigmatization of victims, survivors and their families. Advocacy helped popularize the law about SGBV and fostered exchange between mayors, judges, other local leaders, parents and youth on these issues. The two mayors of the communes made a commitment to ensure that the laws about SGBV are being respected in their districts. The communities and local leaders committed themselves to reducing amicable settlements that are detrimental to victims and survivors.

Another important part in fighting SGBV is the set up of help structures for SGBV-victims in schools and universities. They set up SGBV-Clubs, where victims can talk about their experiences with peers, similar to Self Help Groups. Further they set up mechanisms to help survivors and victims who want to report SGBV. Blue Cross Chad established such structures in 16 high schools and 3 universities. 44 young people, including 28 boys and 16 girls, have been trained to increase their knowledge on the different types of SGBV, their role, the functioning of SGBV-clubs and the reporting and the support mechanism. They left confident and ready to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired to help reduce SGBV in our schools and universities.

To contine the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in Chad, we need your support. We warmly thank you for everything you give!

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As schools in Chad remained closed after March 23, Blue Cross Chad with their peer educators and Life Skills Clubs have continued virtual life skills sessions via WhatsApp groups and Facebook. Additionally, three partnerships with local radio stations were signed, so that the project staff and peer educators could conduct regular radio emissions in order to spread life skills messages such as stress resistance, peaceful resolution of conflicts, Gender based Violence prevention and myth busters regarding fake news about the COVID-19 situation (“Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous”). The peer educators have also registered various songs and slogans on these topics which were broadcasted on the radios.

The Blue Cross Chad project staff, in collaboration with local politicians, community members and peer educators, conducted door-to-door COVID-19 sensitization campaigns, underlining the importance of respecting the prevention measures. These door-to-door campaigns happened in three vulnerable neighborhoods of N’Djamena and overall over 1000 households were individually reached and sensitized. The initiative of Blue Cross Chad to mobilize local authorities and populations in the COVID response inspired and was followed by many other non-profit organizations.

Luckily some project activities, especially training activities, could still be carried out despite COVID-19 although with smaller participant numbers, in order to respect the national COVID guidelines. Further, IBC has also started a new Webinar series with its project countries on topics such as good governance, alcohol and drug harm, and gender equality. It has been a good opportunity to continue the process of mutual exchange and learning.

Supporting the Chadian Youth is only possible by generous donors as you – Thank you so much for your contribution!