Here are the reasons why girls need a safe space

While real progress has been made in recent years, girls continue to face serious disadvantages and exclusion in school and in their societies. Education and protection are fundamental rights– when girls grow up healthy, educated, safe and empowered, they can fulfill their potential to be leaders in their communities, countries and the world.
 
Together with the Government of Turkey and our partners, and with thefinancial support of the European Union Trust Fund (Madad), UNICEF is scaling up access to inclusive quality education and strengthen the protective environment around children, with a focus on out-of-school children and girls. As part of this joint action plan, the My Life Center in Süleymaniye (Şanlıurfa) was opened on 1 October 2015 to contribute to the self-learning and well-being of all girls, with a focus on out-of-school girls.   

1.Every child has the right to feel physically and emotionally safe.

In My Life Centers, the term ‘safe’ refers to the absence of trauma, excessive stress, violence (or fear of violence), or abuse. 
  

2.Every child has the right to freedom of expression.

My Life Centers offer a space where girls, feel comfortable and enjoy the freedom to express themselves without the fear of judgment or harm.
 

3.In many societies, girls face limited avenues to meet, and public spaces are often inhabited largely by men.

Girls’ movements outside the home are often restricted due to fear of sexual violence, harassment, and indiscriminate attacks. My Life Centers are designed to be safe spaces where girls can meet and socialize.
 

4.Girls need a safe entry point for services and a place to access information.

In My Life Centers, girls can participate in a series of youth engagement activities such as leadership trainings, life-skills trainings and peer-to-peer information and support sessions.  Self-well-being programmes are organized on a daily basis, including art, drawing and drama classes.
 

5.Safe spaces offer a critical way to build girls’ social assets.

Safe gathering points such as My Life Centers offer girls an opportunity to engage with each other, exchange information, and rebuild community networks and support. 


6.Education is a right for all children.

By providing girls with leadership and life-skills trainings, peer-to-peer support opportunities and language classes, My Life Centers help empower them to become active and positive agents in their schools and communities. 
 
 
7.When you invest in a girl, she will not only change her own life, but also most likely change the lives of her family and community.

8.So, when girls do better we all do better.

Source: United Nations Children’s Fund : http://www.unicef.org, United Nations Girl’s Education Initiative http://www.ungei.org/and No Lost Generation Initiative: http://nolostgeneration.org/