Written 7:55 PM Sep 9, 1994 by icpd:ngonetny in igc:icpd.general ---------- "Investing in Young Women" ---------- Copyright, Women's Feature Service, All Rights Reserved Investing in Young Women By Renuka Motihar Cairo, Sept. 8 (WFS) -- At a well-attended function in the NGO Forum, the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) launched a project in Egypt. 'Partnership Projects for Girls and Young Women' -- or Mashrou Elmosharaka Lilshabat -- is designed to improve the status of young women in Upper Egypt and expand their life options through an integrated strategy that links education, health and advocacy. "ICPD has drawn world attention to the crucial role of women's empowerment in achieving sustainable development," said Peggy Curlin, president of CEDPA. "No less remarkable has been ICPD's focus on the special needs of girls and young women. Truly there will be no empowerment and no lasting social change unless girls and young women are full partners in development." The programme will focus on 3-4 governorates in Upper Egypt where female literacy is low, early childbearing is the norm, and where girls and young women have the least opportunity for development. This is one of the many success stories from the worldwide youth programmes sponsored by CEDPA. It's a unique initiative focussing on youth, especially the adolescent girl. A Washington D.C.-based organisation, CEDPA was one of the first organisations in 1987 to create a global initiative for girls and young women. "Investing in girls and young women is one of the most important actions that we can take for the future," said Seema S. Chauhan, director of the worldwide programme. CEDPA's partner organisations design programmes to suit local needs in Egypt, India, Ghana, Romania, Mexico, Nigeria and Uganda. Sita is 18 years old. As part of a Better Life Options Project (BLP) in her village in India, Sita trained in sewing, knitting and handicrafts. After the course she started a small business producing and marketing garments from home. Slowly developing confidence she acquired skills in management, accounting and quality control. Today, the knowledge of being an entrepreneur has boosted her own and her family's sense of pride and self-esteem. CEDPA's partner organisation in Mexico has a different focus. "Adolescents who participate in the programme are very dynamic. We are very happy to be pioneers in sexual education in rural areas of Central Mexico," said Sylvia Flores of the Jocotopec Development Center. "The biggest problem is teenage pregnancy and so we have been training the youth on sexual responsibility." Flores talked about Rosita, a 16-year-old girl who had two children by the age of 15. She dropped out of school and was restricted to her home. The Jocotopec programme gave her the opportunity to learn skills and plan for a better future. The YWCA in Uganda runs a youth programme in schools and other centres for both boys and girls. As Joyce Mungherare pointed out, "Teenage pregnancies, abortions resulting in school drop-outs is a big problem in Uganda. We are working on reproductive health, telling young people of the problems of early pregnancies." In Romania, the Youth and Youth Foundation has a project for young men and women. "We stress on psychology which has not been done before," said Irina Dinca, president of the organisation. "We include both boys and girls because it is couples who have to make the decision not the individual." Another major initiative by CEDPA is conducting national and international advocacy to increase girls' access to education and health care. As a CEDPA document stated: "Advocacy is speaking up, drawing a community's attention to an important issue and directing decision makers towards a solution."