By Bazif Bala | Grant Research Intern
In 2014, GAIA Vaccine Foundation began the “Teen Peer Education Program”. These weekly education sessions cover topics such as STDs, HPV, and HIV and how to prevent them. In the program, teenagers gain a greater understanding of sexual health. In the process, the program empowers these young individuals to serve as leaders and educators within their own communities.
The approach of the programs is unique and among the first-of-its-kind in Mali, as these topics are rarely discussed due to cultural taboos. The Teen Peer Education coordinator facilitates an open conversation where creative and humorous dialogue surrounds important issues. Discussions are framed specifically for teenagers, encouraging attendance and lightheartedness while also conveying the severity of the matter.
In Mali, nearly 37% of women give birth before the age of eighteen. Our work is essential in helping to educate regarding the potential dangers that are especially presented to lower-class Malian girls, who are particularly vulnerable to targeting by older, HIV-infected men.
In 2019, over 1,450 teens participated in this program, a stark increase from 850 individuals in 2016. The increased participation rate indicates greater interest in the program and may help curb rates of HIV+ among the adolescent population of Bamako. During recent political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for this program is essential to promoting HIV awareness among teenagers. Even beyond, donations like yours are essential to not only continue the program, but also to expand outreach to more communities within Mali.
Investing in the Teen Peer Education Program is not simply an investment in a singular weekly lesson or discussion. Rather, it is investing in creating an entire new generation of Malian citizens that, unlike their older predecessors, are able to openly discuss HIV+, STDs, etc. in a manner that centers on preventative care and access to accurate knowledge and community resources. As program interest continues to rise, please donate now to support Malian youth.
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