REFLECTION FROM RELIGIOUS LEADER: THE COMMUNITY HAS SHOWN MOTIVATION TO SUPPORT GIRL’S EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY
Rev Dr. Daniel has shown enthusiasm and motivation in support of girl’s education in various communities. He ensured that the churches included programs concerning girl child education. As a result of the KGIS initiative, the church has aligned a program called the “Teen-Star program” which has been under implementation for the last decades in the church structures.
Religious Leader in Ethiopia Catholic Church
The church has also taken a clear stand on various sexual and reproductive issues which was not widely known by the majority of the followers. Rev Daniel asserted the need for the congregation to take proper information and decision.
Like many other religious leaders, Rev Dr. Daniel mobilizes and encourages his church members into the Keeping Girls in School (KGIS) movement. Since the inception of the KGIS in Ethiopia, he has been mobilizing congregants to ensure all girls are enrolled in school and retained until the completion of at least senior secondary education. These have helped the church induce behavioural changes among the congregants regarding girl’s education. and sexual reproductive health.
Presently, the majority of the congregants are now familiar with Sexual and Reproductive issues and clearly understood the church’s stand (Christianity) on the importance of keeping girls in school. Hence, the church followers can take healthy Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) choices and decisions. Besides, a platform for dialogues was created especially among family circles where parents and children have regular in-depth discussions on various issues that affect the girl child and young generation in general. The church also took initiatives for Safe-Space for young girls to discuss the issue around their education, future ambitions and menstruation. In relation to this, the nuns are playing vital roles in educating and mentoring young girls in different platforms found in the Catholic Church.