A tale of female power

Canchungo, Guinea-Bissau - August 12th, 2021

At the age of 13, *Apili is in seventh grade, the first year of high school. This is unusual because in Guinea-Bissau, it is quite common for girls to fall behind, especially in communities outside the capital where girls are supposed to stay at home to help with the housework.

"I know that the only way I can become everything I need to be is through my studies," says Apili with determination.

At school, she excels in Social Studies, Mathematics and Portuguese. Mathematical formulas don't scare her, she easily memorizes Portuguese verbs and loves learning about society, laws and children's rights. When asked about her favorite topic in social education class, patriarchy strikes a chord.

​"The whole weight of an entire household shouldn't be on the man's shoulders," says Apili. "I don't understand why it has to be this way, because if both parents worked and shared decision-making power I believe that the situation of many families would be better."

"The government should also focus more on children, because there are many needy families who don't necessarily have the means to support their children. Things were different here at home before my family joined the SOS Family Strengthening Program. Sometimes we didn't have much to eat or money to buy school supplies. But all children should be able to go to school, even if their parents don't have the money."

"All girls should have the opportunity to go to school," says Apili firmly.

"If girls study and get stable jobs, they will have more power at home. Not just with money, but also with respect."

"Since our family joined the SOS family strengthening program, it's been easier to enroll all the children in school and buy school supplies for them. Thanks to the credit savings group and the extra support, we can now afford these expenses," says Apili's father, Felisberto, who has eleven other dependents, from nephews to grandchildren. The youngest, Simaira * has just turned one.