FAME Foundation signed a Financial Agreement and Partnership of 20, 000 Euros with Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), a French Government public utility office on July 14, 2021, in Abuja.
The grant will help the “PLAY it DREAM it” initiative of FAME that aims to use sports as a tool to attain SDGs 3, 4, and 5 through 200 Internally Displaced Girls in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
As part of the project, the girls will be given education on menstrual health and hygiene, regular sensitization workshops, support with sanitary towels, quality education advocacy, scholarship, empowerment, mentorship among others for the period of one year.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Virginie Diaz Pedregal, Deputy Country Director of Agence Francaise de Developpement in Nigeria, said,
“AFD recently declared itself as a feminist organization and has been pushing since 2018 to promote the use of sport as a tool for education and social change. Supporting committed CSOs like the FAME Foundation was evidence for us,”
“By the end of 2022, more than 200 girls ages 7-17 will benefit from the weekly sports activities and regular sensitization workshops (including supplying as much sanitary protection as possible). An additional 1,500 members of the girls’ community will benefit for the change of mindset started by the project.”
“In 13 years, AFD has become a recognized partner in Nigeria with activities in key service sectors such as energy, water, rural roads, and urban transport. With nearly two billion euros committed, AFD support about 30 projects in the country.”
Victor Baysang-Michelin, AFD Project Officer, said that the AFD is proud to associate with FAME Foundation to tackle gender inequalities in society.
“Gender-Based Violence, is one of the prominent issues in Nigeria and the AFD is proud to partner with FAME Foundation to curb the gender issues in the society and the organization hopes that this grant will keep the good work going,” He expressed.
Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, stated that the PLAY it DREAM it Initiative which is currently ongoing, is using sport as a tool to tackle gender issues such as child marriages and lack of education amongst others in the society and also to mentor Internally Displaced Girls.
“Due to the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, the only unifying factor is Sports, and this is why we are using sports as a social vehicle to drive gender issues in the society” she expressed.
She also assured that the funds will help actualize the Play it Dreams it Initiative, aimed at developing the girl-child through sports, in line with Sustainable Development Goals.
“IDP camps were particularly targeted to give hope to the girls internally displaced because of insurgency and banditry activities in some parts of the country.
“We look forward to the year-long project and are glad for this great partnership with the French Government/AFD which is set to help actualize our dream for the girl child in Nigeria, using sports.”
The project’s aim and purpose are to ensure that by the end of 2022, over 200 girls aged 7 to 17 will benefit from the weekly sports activities and regular sensitization workshops on menstrual health and hygiene, rights of the girl child, and the supply of sanitary pads to Internally Displaced Girls. An additional 1,500 members of the girls’ community will reward for the change of mindset and orientation initiated by the project.
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