Very Young Adolescents (VYA) – Project
Very Young Adolescent (VYA) project is a one-year project with funding support from EMpower. It is implemented in three Districts of Northern and North East regions of Ghana specifically Karaga, Sagnarigu and Mamprugu Moaduri districts. The project is implemented in 10 communities in each district making a total of 30 communities. It seeks to address the challenges of Very Young Adolescent girls (10 to 14) who are living at the intersection of multiple opportunities and extreme vulnerabilities due to lack of safe spaces, low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence. The project strategies employed include; creation of safe spaces in the communities, use of inter-generational dialogues, stakeholder’s engagement and the certification of VYA sensitive communities.
It is expected that this intervention contributes to eliminating gross violations of girls’ rights and ensure increased access to services that are sensitive to the peculiar needs of Very Young Adolescents. These anticipated expectations include:
- Increased confidence, self-esteem and access to services of 300 VYAs from the 30 communities,
- 30 communities from 3 districts are empowered and supporting the safe spaces for very young adolescent girls.
- Norsaac is strengthened to respond to the impact of COVID19.
Objectives:
The major objectives of the VYA project are;
- To strengthened and redirected focus to Very Young Adolescent girls living at the intersection of multiple opportunities and extreme vulnerabilities.
- To address common challenges and expand opportunities for girls 10-14 years of age that are typically underserved.
Target groups:
- The Very Young Adolescents Girls
- Parents/Guardians
- Government officials
- Family friends
- Peers (VYA Boys)
- Teachers