Educate & Empower 1200 Girls in the Nairobi Slums

Reproductive Health Training And Peer Educators

Introducing Girls Choice, an interactive board game, to help Peer Educators lead real discussions on personal choices and Reproductive Health.

Reproductive health training is the cornerstone of the Safe Spaces Program. Female empowerment starts with knowing how girls and young women's bodies work. The program focuses on equipping girls with age-appropriate factual knowledge on reproductive health, addressing myths and stereotypes around menstruation, pregnancy, sexual health and personal safety.Research shows the importance of teaching girls to manage their menstruation, avoid pregnancy and stay in school. For each year that a girl stays in school, her first pregnancy is delayed by at least one year and her ability to earn her own income increases also. If a girl can earn her own income she is truly empowered!

Recently, we introduced our Peer Educators to the board game called Girls Choice. The introduction was a great success and the Peer Educators were so enthusiast that they quickly incorporated the game into their  reproductive health program. There are presently 10 Peer Educators, ages 16-18, who lead weekly reproductive health sessions for Safe Spaces girls afterschool.

Girls Choice, a cross between the games Trivial Pursuit and Truth or Dare. It is designed to help girls obtain knowledge in a new & effective & fun way. The use of this game helps encourage more participation by the students. When a Peer Educator asks her students  “tough” & / or “embarrassing” questions, the students usually do not feel comfortable to offer honest answers. When the game asks the questions, there is less taboo and more girls open up and speak the truth. 

Sometimes the game asks the participants to “Act Out Your Answer.” This is especially effective, as the acting out leads to a lot of laughter, tearing down barriers and bonding develops between the girls. It creates a safe environment where they can express themselves & trust others.

Findings:

-Peer Educators loved the FUN brought by the game to a subject which some students find difficult or embarrassing.

-The Game generates discussion: As one or more girls open up, it gives others the encouragement to do the same.

-“Are there other games on other subjects”? Peer Educators are investigating whether similar tools are available on subjects such as: Heath, Hygiene, Nutrition & Leadership Skills.

 Next Steps:

Girls Choice has been implemented in our after school programs. As we only have three board game sets, we are sharing the games on a rotating basis. We hope to obtain funding to purchase additional game sets to be used by each of our Peer Educators.

Girls Choice is a simple tool, which is very effective and produces positive results!