Girls’ Education as HIV Prevention
When girls remain in school, their risk of early marriage, unintended pregnancy, and HIV exposure falls. This is not a slogan; it is one of the most replicated findings in public health and education. In our programs in Cameroon and Kenya, FADOA works with schools and caregivers to remove the practical barriers—fees, uniforms, hygiene products, safe transport—that push adolescent girls out of class [1].
The Evidence Is Clear
UN agencies and governments across the region recognize schooling as a structural HIV‑prevention tool. Initiatives like Education Plus and national adolescent health policies emphasize attendance, completion, and transitions to work as protective levers [2][3]. In practice, this means budgets for simple things—pads, exam fees, safe spaces—paired with mentoring and safeguarding.
What We Do
With local partners, we provide hygiene kits, mentorship groups led by trained female teachers, and discreet support for fees and transport. Attendance is monitored term‑to‑term; girls at risk of dropout are flagged early by a school focal point. Where appropriate, we link families to youth‑friendly health services and social protection programs [4].
Field Voice
“I stopped missing the week I got the kit,” a student in Nyeri told us. “Now I help other girls keep their calendars.”
By the Numbers (Illustrative 2024–2025)
• 150 adolescent girls supported with hygiene kits and mentoring
• 12 schools with trained safeguarding focal points
• 92% term‑to‑term retention among supported girls
• 8 caregiver circles established to plan for fees and uniforms
Endnotes
[1] UNICEF — Girls’ education and barriers to attendance. (UNICEF Girls' Education)
[2] UNAIDS — Education Plus: a high‑level initiative for adolescent girls and young women. (UNAIDS Education Plus)
[3] Republic of Kenya — National Adolescent and Youth Health Policy. (Kenya MOH AYRH Policy)
[4] WHO — Adolescent health service delivery and school retention linkages. (WHO Adolescent Health)