TAPOA—The Provincial Directorate in charge of Humanitarian Action in Tapoa has provided bicycles to five teenage girls who were married early, as part of an initiative to enable them to continue their education. The handover took place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, aiming to address the educational setbacks faced by these young girls due to early marriage.
According to the Burkina Information Agency, the Provincial Director of Solidarity in Tapoa, the distribution of these bicycles is part of a broader effort to empower adolescent girls who are victims of or at risk of child marriage by improving their mobility and thus, their access to education. This initiative is a component of the national campaign “Ending early marriages in Burkina Faso,” supported by various international partners including UNFPA, UNICEF, and the Population Council. The project is implemented in nine provinces across Burkina Faso, focusing on enhancing the educational opportunities for these young girls.
In 2024, the General Directorate for Family and Children (DGFE) of Burkina Faso successfully requested and obtained 200 bicycles to aid adolescent girls at risk of child marriage in these targeted regions. The bicycles are intended to facilitate the girls’ travel to school, thereby increasing their chances of improving their academic performance and future prospects.
The beneficiaries, represented by one of the girls, expressed profound gratitude for the government’s support, viewing it as a significant encouragement and a symbol of hope. They emphasized that such initiatives not only help in practical terms but also send a strong message of support and motivation to pursue their educational goals.