Global Girl South Africa training began Saturday! We are so excited for this summer’s program! As I mentioned in my last blog, we received a PEPFAR grant—the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—to work with 10 HIV-positive young women in Johannesburg. The girls range in age from 16-25 and the program will be running through July 16!
Here's what our intern, Annah, had to say about the program: "So far the girls are exquisite, they are energetic, and have passion to raise their voice and make a footprint. I do believe that it takes a woman’s voice to change the world. All the best girls, show us what you've got!!! Have fun and be free to face the world because the universe is inside your hearts.”
Some of the goals laid out in Global Girl South Africa curriculum are to improve and enhance more healthy, complex images of HIV-positive women and girls in new media; encourage the use of social media, video and blogging to engage in, question and advocate for women’s social, cultural and economic rights; build self-confidence and leadership skills among HIV-positive young women; and provide capacity building and new career opportunities for HIV-positive young women by creating linkages and partnerships with community-based media organizations, educational institutions and local government, non-profit and other service providers.
The beats the girls will be covering include HIV/Aids, domestic violence against women and girls, human interest, local culture, and current events. Girls will also have the opportunity to develop their own stories based on their interests and experiences. We’ve learned that some of the best stories come from the girls’ personal lives!
Last summer one of our Global Girls in South Africa told an amazing story about her sister, Busi. Busi was a lesbian who was subjected to “corrective raped”, contracted HIV, and eventually died from Aids. This story informed and inspired our HIV/Aids focused program this summer. You can see for yourself the power of the video report here!
You can also check out some of the great work South Africa has done to prevent the spread of HIV here!
Another great opportunity for our Global Girls came a few weeks ago, when First Lady Michelle Obama visited South Africa to talk to girls at the Young African Women Leaders Forum. One of our own Global Girls, Annah Tseko was elected by the U.S. Consulate/Embassy to be apart of the forum, and you can read her blog about meeting Michelle Obama here!
Be sure to look for upcoming videos and blogs throughout the summer on our website at www.globalgirlmedia.org!
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