WUNRN
Women's Refugee Commission
SOMALI REFUGEE GIRLS IN ETHIOPIA -
PHOTO ESSAY - FINDING SAFE SPACES
http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/programs/adolescent-girls
In a humanitarian crisis, whether it’s
war, famine or natural disaster, lives are turned upside down. Families are
uprooted, separated or destroyed. Access to education deteriorates. Safety and
security dissolve. In the midst of this chaos, displaced adolescent girls are
often the most overlooked, neglected and vulnerable. When girls ages 10-16 lose
their homes, famillies or schools, they are more exposed to:
For girls to be safe and to have a
chance at the future they deserve, they need security and education, health
care, social supports and adult mentors. And they need opportunities to develop
the confidence, critical thinking and support networks needed to make good
decisions for their lives.
The Women's Refugee Commission
illuminates and addresses the critical needs of adolescent girls in crisis
settings to ensure that they stay safe and make positive changes in their
lives. We are working in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia with girls, and the groups
that support them, to identify and promote ways that girls can protect
themselves, access healthcare, complete school, build leadership skills and be
seen as a valued part of their families and communities.
We learn from the girls themselves what
works and what doesn’t and then we partner with local organizations to design
unique projects to meet these needs. As a result of our work, girls will learn
how to live safer lives and, with support of adults, build brighter futures.
Our work aims to enable displaced girls
develop the skills they need to protect themselves. We partner with local
groups who provide safe spaces and help displaced adolescent girls build skills
through workshops, peer support networks and mentorship. We also engage and
educate families and community leaders about the importance of protecting and
empowering adolescent girls.