Plan International’s work for children forced to flee the terrorist group Boko Haram has led to more young people gaining access to education, and thus hope for a better future. The Clas Ohlson Foundation is now extending its support to the child rights organisation and the successful project. The activities will be expanded and have a greater focus on girls, who are particularly vulnerable.
More than two million people have been displaced since Nigerian Boko Haram launched its offensive a decade ago. Plan International has been working to ensure that children, especially girls, from refugee families in northern Cameroon are taught language and maths, to strengthen their future educational opportunities.
More than 3,000 children and young people have been supported, and when the Clas Ohlson Foundation now deepens its collaboration with Plan International, the efforts will be strengthened with increased resources for girls at risk of exclusion or dropping out of school. The project includes support for girls who have or are at risk of dropping out of school due to child marriage, early pregnancy and social norms. The project invests resources in strengthening boys’ and girls’ – including those with disabilities – general life skills and knowledge of their rights. With specific interventions, the project supports girls who, for various reasons, have fallen behind in their studies, so that they can complete their education.
Increased vulnerability due to crises
The Boko Haram terrorist group is taking a strong stand against conventional education and in Nigeria, nearly 900 schools with a total of 400 000 students have been closed. In some areas, more than one in three children lack access to education. Many studies and organisations report that girls are particularly vulnerable in conflict situations Boys are often prioritised over girls, which means that girls are less likely to have their needs for food and healthcare met. Violence against girls increases, more of them are married off, their freedom of movement is further restricted and they are more often forced to drop out of school.
There is also a high risk that girls who have fled will be even more vulnerable due to the effects of the pandemic. Crises increase the risks of abuse, early pregnancies and interrupted schooling. As families face economic hardship, more girls are married off so that the family has one less mouth to feed. Child marriage increases the number of teenage pregnancies and young mothers are at higher risk of dying due to childbirth complications.
Education for refugee children
In the Minawao refugee camp in Cameroon, Plan International is working to ensure schooling for children in the camp. Every year, Plan International, in collaboration with UNHCR and other organisations, reaches around 44,000 children and young people in primary and secondary school. The project, which is based on a partnership between Clas Ohlson and Plan International, focuses on creating functional and safe teaching environments and classrooms, providing teaching materials and recruiting and training teachers. Now that the partnership has been extended, the project will increase its efforts for all children, with a particular focus on girls’ education. Plan International is also helping to ensure that schools have access to hand washing, drinking water and toilets. Within the project, Plan International works not only with the children but also their parents. This work includes issues of child safety and rights, as well as outreach activities to motivate more families to allow their children – and especially their daughters – to attend school.
The partnership between the Clas Ohlson Foundations and Plan International will contribute to safe educational environments and hope for a brighter future for over 7,000 children, including 5,000 girls, in the Minawao refugee camp.