Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Young people in Burkina Faso, especially adolescent girls, have few economic opportunities, particularly in rural areas. This drives migration to urban areas in search of employment. In 2010, the Population council conducted formative research on migrant adolescent girls in domestic service in urban Burkina Faso. Findings revealed that girls typically live with their employers and spend long days performing arduous work, leaving little time for schooling, building social networks, and developing skills necessary for adulthood. Most programs designed for this population intervene after something has gone wrong rather than building girls’ protective assets. In response to these findings, the Population Council designed an intervention for migrant adolescent domestic workers in urban Burkina Faso. Filles Éveillées (“Girls Awakened”) aims to increase social capital; build adolescent girls’ skills in health (including sexual and reproductive health), life skills, and financial capabilities; and link girls to services. By providing girls with a safe space, access to peers, and a female mentor, this program seeks to increase domestic workers’ opportunities and reduce their vulnerabilities. This program brief describes the Filles Éveillées program model and the lessons learned from the 2011–12 cohort.

DOI

10.31899/pgy12.1004

Language

English

Project

Filles Eveillées (“Girls Awakened”)

Share

COinS