Madagascar
WHERE WE WORK > MADAGASCAR
Holistic Development for Vulnerable Women, Girls and Children
Since 2008 in Morondava the Good Shepherd programs have been supporting vulnerable women, girls and children living in conditions of marginalization and distress. The mission includes a shelter for young girls (6 years -18 years), a primary school for children located in Tanambao, one of the poorest districts in Morondava, and a vocational training centre for women and girls to gain skills like tailoring, sewing, catering etc., in order to become financially self-sustainable.
The interventions supported by GSIF are aimed at protecting, rehabilitating young girls in vulnerable conditions at risk or victims of violence and sexual abuses, while shaping a more just and equal society free from social stigmas and negligence of violence against girls and young women. Beside the protection and the support to girls, the program is engaging the community of Morondava through awareness raising activities on women’s and girls’ rights to make the social environment a safer place.
Activities
The Good Shepherd shelter aims to ensure a safe living space, health and psychological assistance as well as school attendance for the 12 girls living in the shelter. Through this assistance, the project will ensure to protect, rehabilitate and reintegrate young vulnerable girls at risk or victims of violence and/or sexual abuses, while shaping a more just society free from social stigmas and negligence of gender-based violence. The girls will be accompanied by experts in psychosocial support to overcome their traumas and will benefit from education/professional trainings to make them able to slowly become financially independent.
PROJECTS LOCATIONS
Morondava
HIGHLIGHTS
1
Projects
100
Beneficiaries
10
Local staff
AREAS OF INTERVENTION
COUNTRY BACKGROUND / OVERVIEW
Despite a wealth of natural resources and a tourism industry driven by its unique environment, the island of Madagascar remains one of the world’s poorest countries. The increased poverty due to the pandemic crisis is a major factor for the growth of gender-based violence and exploitation, with many women and girls becoming poorer, and therefore more exposed to abuse. The society in Madagascar is very traditional and patriarchal and often Malagasy women are not considered as full members of society, suffering humiliation, domestic violence and sexual abuse, as gender-based violence is the norm.
Culture and customs in certain regions of Madagascar promote inequality and lack of respect for children, girls and women’s rights. Early marriages and forced marriages are increasingly present in the country and so is sexual tourism because of poverty. The Malagasy social structure gives priority to boys and most of the time, especially in provinces, girls do not have access to education and to other human rights.
Drought and poverty have led to severe food insecurity especially in southern Madagascar and have caused massive migrations throughout the island, with children and women being their first victims.
Facts and figures
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