Photos from Col Cemca's post
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Country of Focus: Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the challenges faced by women and girls are both urgent and profound. With 51% of girls married by age 18, early marriage limits their opportunities to complete education and join the formal workforce. This not only impacts their personal growth but also holds back the full potential of their communities.
Additionally, climate change disproportionately affects women and girls. Limited access to resources, decision-making power, and economic assets makes them more vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate events like floods and cyclones. These challenges are interconnected, creating cycles of poverty and inequality that demand urgent action.
The Empowering Women and Girls project works in Bangladesh with two community partners, CMES and SSS, that make change possible. By empowering women and girls to access education, skills, and sustainable livelihoods, we can help them break free from these cycles and build more resilient communities.
Read our full country profile: empoweringwomenandgirls.col.org/countries-of-focus/bangladesh/
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Empowering Dreams: Nayab's Journey with Open Schooling in Pakistan.
Nayab is a 16-year-old girl facing financial difficulties that forced her to drop out of school. The SPARC Open School in #Pakistan—a partner of the Commonwealth of Learning’s @COL4D’s Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) project @EWG_23—is committed to positively impacting the future of its students and has played a crucial role in rekindling Nayab's educational aspirations and providing her with a supportive environment.
Nayab, who resides in Pakistan’s Golra Station with her parents, left formal education due to financial constraints, leading to mental and psychological distress. Her dropout from school left her feeling hopeless and disconnected from her dreams. Her mother, recognising the importance of education for Nayab's future, was determined to solve her daughter's predicament.
The turning point came when Nayab's mother learned about SPARC in their area—the school's commitment to providing books and a protected environment offered hope for Nayab's future. Recognising the emotional sensitivity of girls Nayab's age, her mother was determined to ensure her daughter had a firm standing in society through education.
Nayab's prolonged absence from formal education had left her despondent and lacking hope. Overcoming this emotional hurdle became a significant challenge. Nayab's initial days at the school were marked by silence and isolation, reflecting the depth of her emotional trauma.
Understanding the importance of personal connection, the SPARC team visited Nayab's home to motivate her to continue her studies. The school's teachers took a keen interest in Nayab's well-being, adopting personalised teaching techniques to accelerate her learning. The aim was to make education accessible to less privileged girls; Nayab's case was no exception.
Innovative teaching methods, including activity-based learning and group work, played a pivotal role in helping Nayab overcome her trauma. These approaches have facilitated academic progress and encouraged Nayab to interact with her classmates, breaking her isolation and fostering a sense of belonging.
Nayab is now a regular attendee at SPARC Open School, making remarkable progress daily. Her academic achievements reflect the effectiveness of the school's teaching methods and the resilience and determination she has discovered within herself.
Nayab's case exemplifies the transformative impact of the EWG-SPARC partnership, which provides education and hope to students facing socio-economic challenges. By addressing the emotional needs of students like Nayab and employing innovative teaching techniques, contributing to creating a brighter future for less privileged girls, empowering them to stand firm in society through education.
With funding from Global Affairs Canada, COL initiated the three-year project in 2023 to improve the realisation of human rights for women and girls from disadvantaged communities in selected areas of five Commonwealth member states, including Pakistan.
#EducationForAll #GirlsEducation #OpenSchooling #SPARCPK #EWGProject #EducationMatters #WomenEmpowerment #YouthEmpowerment #TransformativeEducation #EqualityThroughEducation #GlobalAffairsCanada
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