Mpoti, Democratic Republic of Congo – A new initiative is breaking down barriers to education for girls in teh Mpoti region, offering accelerated schooling and community outreach to combat deeply ingrained cultural norms that prioritize early marriage over learning. The project, known as FIERES, is yielding tangible results, with girls like 13-year-old Fatoumata gaining access to education for the first time and families recognizing the long-term benefits of investing in their daughters’ futures.
For generations, many families in the region believed formal education was solely for boys, viewing girls’ roles as confined to the home. This led to widespread early marriage and a denial of educational opportunities. The FIERES project, implemented by the Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie and CECI with funding from the Canadian government thru Global Affairs Canada, directly addresses this issue by providing safe learning environments and actively engaging communities to shift perspectives. The initiative isn’t simply about enrollment numbers; its about fundamentally changing perceptions of girls’ potential and empowering them to shape their own destinies, and by extension, contribute to the progress of their communities and contry.
“Several families did not see the importance of girls’ education and preferred to marry them young,” explained a village chief involved with the project. “The center has helped to raise awareness among families about the importance of educating girls. In addition, the center offers a safe and protective environment for girls, wich encourages parents to send them to school.”
Fatoumata, a participant in an accelerated schooling center in Mpoti, exemplifies the project’s impact. “Before, I didn’t know anything about school or classes,” she shared. “Going to school is preparing for a better future, now and for the future, to forge my personality in order to help my parents, my community and even my country.”
the project underscores a global call to action, echoing the sentiment of Friedrich Schiller: “The dignity of the human being is in your hands. Keep it. It falls with you, with you it will rise.” Further details about the FIERES project can be found at https://fondationpgl.ca/projets/fieres/.
