A children’s “mini-parliament” was held in Limpopo province two weeks ago to mark the launch of the Girls’ Education Movement (GEM). The event brought together about 120 children aged 12 to 18 from different parts of the province.
The GEM is an initiative of Unicef, and enjoys the support of the South African Girl Child Alliance (SAGCA). The GEM was first launched in Uganda last year. It seeks to promote children’s access to education and encourages them to participate in processes that shape their future.
Several Unicef studies have shown that girls’ education emerges as the single best investment any society can make. With this in mind SAGCA and Unicef held workshops over the past few months for children who took part in the launch. Themes included leadership skills, planned parenthood, peer education, storytelling and audio/digital training.
The mock children’s parliament also provided a platform for the children to speak about issues affecting them in their communities. Topics raised included teenage pregnancies, housing, drugs, crime and lack of access to clinics, water and sanitation. Many of the girls said they are discriminated against and undermined because of their gender.
Katlego Seloma, a 15-year-old girl from Sekhukhune, said of the GEM workshops: “These workshops have taught me that even though we girls are stereotyped, I can do anything that boys can do. I know that I can become anything I want to be.”
The children proposed that more workshops and youth clubs be organised to help them become aware of their rights and to learn life skills to realise their talents. Many children also appealed to their peers not to wait for the government or outsiders to help, but to take a pro-active role in their lives and future.