From August 13th to 15th, 2024, the STRONG Team of the Timor-Leste Red Cross (CVTL) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) collaborated on an impactful initiative aimed at empowering adolescent girls in Suai. The event, held at Basic Central School-EBC Salele, engaged 28 adolescent girls in hands-on agricultural activities designed to build practical skills in sustainable farming.
The initiative focused on three types of gardens—raised beds, flat beds, and knowledge-sharing gardens—each covering a plot size of 10×10 meters. Through these diverse garden types, participants learned about local microorganisms, organic pesticides, and both liquid and solid organic fertilizers, promoting an understanding of eco-friendly agricultural practices.
This program was not only about teaching farming techniques but also about enhancing food security and promoting gender equality. By involving adolescent girls in these activities, the program aimed to challenge traditional gender roles and empower young women to become active contributors to their communities’ food systems.
The three-day event concluded with the girls sharing their experiences and knowledge gained from the program, demonstrating the potential for sustainable agriculture to be a tool for both economic and social empowerment. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of equipping the younger generation with skills that foster resilience and self-sufficiency.
I found this very helpful and will be sharing it with my friends.