GIRL SAFETY SIGNS by SAFIGI Foundation

1st EDITION

05 / 2013

GIRL SAFETY SIGNS! AN I AM SAFE PROJECT BY

SAFETY FIRST FOR GIRLS ALSO INSIDE: SFG Our 1st Year Safety Tips Easy Safety Tools Volunteer Stories Get Involved and more...

Models: Gallagher Di Martino, Hadassah Louis, Sukanya Potten

Photographer: Andrew Potten

GIRL SAFETY SIGNS! INTRODUCTION

In our everyday life women and men face challenges, with each challenge weighing differently for every individual. Injustice is one such challenge and with the I AM SAFE Project we hope to shed light on some of the injustices as well as some ideals the society should trash and embrace respectively. The Girl Safety Signs are a representation of some injustices in the society and the signs also highlight some ideals we wish to attain as women in the society for the embetterment of the entire world!

IDEALS Freedom Respect Privacy Equality Choice Education Help Self - defense

INJUSTICES Human Trafficking Slavery Forced Labor Child Sexual Abuse

Mental Abuse Physical Abuse Discrimination Early Marriage

pg.3 STAYING SAFE

pg.5 pg.7 pg.8

pg.9

pg.11 pg.12 pg.13 pg.15 pg.17

pg.28 pg29 pg.30 pg.31

VOLUNTEERISM

pg.33 pg.18 pg.19 pg.21

pg.23 pg.24 pg25 pg.26

pg.35 pg.36 pg.38

YOUR VOICE COUNTS! 03

Hello, And Welcome to Safety First for Girls, an outreach program aimed at spreading safety education and empowering women with the help of volunteers from all over the globe. We are so glad you share our enthusiasm in spreading safety education to every person and have joined us in our vision to raise a generation where girls are empowered, equiped and fulfilled in every aspect of their life for the benefit of the entire world. Women are special to us because we as women have the capacity to change the world;we are mothers, sisters, wives, grandmothers, godmothers, girlfriends, bestfriends, and so much more. So by first empowering and helping the woman, we are empowering and helping the entire world. This means that whilst women are our primary concern, we care for all genders equally in order to help return balance in the world. Why Safety Education? At SFG we stand up for safety education because it is like an umbrella standing against a broad range of evil vices happenning in the world such as crime, bullying, human trafficking, abuse and even missing people among many others. Safety First for Girls creates a platform where our volunteers can come and work together for the common goal of spreading safety education in order to prevent all these evil vices and in so doing rid the world of its impurities. Once upon a time I had friends who told me they were abused, almost abused, witnessing abuse and facing challenges. I did not know what to do to help them then... Now I do. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so much more we can achieve if everyone joined in this fight to bring awareness to safety education and women empowerment. It is more than a story about each and every person here. It is a reality about us! Let your voice be heard today. Yes, you are our INSPIRATION!

Louis

Photographer: Joe

NO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE NO TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING NO SLAVERY NO TO FORCED LABOR ...

Model: Dolchi Dee

Photographer: Andrew Potten

No Child Sexual Abuse!

Jayneen Sanders is Author of the book “Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept.” WWW.SOMESECRETS.INFO

Jayneen Sanders is an Australian author of the children picture book “Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept”, a book parents and educators can comfortably read to their children time and again from as young as 3 years old to educate them on safe and unsafe touch. And no, it won’t frighten or disturb them in any way, BUT it may well keep them safe in the future. “Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept is also available in e-book. See www.somesecrets.info for links and free resources (including the body safety song under media) or if outside Australia, go to Amazon to purchase.

Photographer: Sylvia Kreinberg

BODY SAFETY SKILLS - A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS written by Jayneen Sanders

A s parents we teach water safety and road safety, but too

2. Teach your child that their penis, vagina, bottom, breasts and nipples are called their often ‘body safety’ is left in ‘private parts’ and that these the ‘too-hard basket’. And yes, are their body parts that go it is a difficult topic to discuss under their swimsuit. Note: a with our children but that is child’s mouth is also known as not a good reason why we a ‘private zone’. should not broach this subject. 3. Teach your child that no With up to 1 in 3 girls and one has the right to touch or 1 in 6 boys sexually abused ask to see their private parts before their 18th birthday, we (and if someone does, they need to most definitely teach must tell you or a trusted our children body safety from adult (or older teenager) as young as 3 years old. And straight away. Reinforce that with 93% of the perpetrators they must keep on telling until known to victims of sexual they are believed. (Statistics abuse, we need to make sure tell us that a child will need to children know their rights, i.e tell three people before they their body is their body and are believed.) As your child no-one has the right to touch becomes older (3+) help them it inappropriately. to identify five people they could tell. These people are The sexual abuse of children part of their ‘network’. has no social boundaries and 4. Teach you child that if as we hear in the media of some-one (i.e. the late, perpetrators can be perpetrator) asks them to relentless in their pursuit of a touch their own private parts child. Therefore my or shows their private parts mission as a teacher, mother to the child that this is wrong and advocate of sexual abuse also, and that they must tell a prevention education is ‘skill trusted adult (or older up’ our kids and educate our teenager) straightaway. community. Hopefully, our Reinforce that they must keep children will never experience on telling until they are sexual abuse but just in case believed. they are touched 5. At the same time as you inappropriately, it important are discussing inappropriate they have the knowledge touch, talk about feelings. necessary and know what to Discuss what it feels like to do. We shall learn nine body be happy, sad, angry, excited, safety skills you can cover etc. Encourage your child in with your child. Let’s all work daily activities to talk about together to keep our children their feelings, e.g. ‘I felt safe. Forewarned is really sad when … pushed me forearmed! Knowledge is over.’ This way your child will powerful! be more able to verbalise how they are feeling if someone Note that these skills can be does touch them taught gradually and in daily inappropriately. conversations as your child 6. Talk with your child about grows. feeling ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’. Discuss times when your child 1. As soon as your child might feel ‘unsafe’, e.g. being begins to talk and is aware pushed down a steep slide; of their body parts, begin to or ‘safe’, e.g. snuggled up on name them correctly, e.g. the couch reading a book with toes, nose, eyes, etc. Children you. Children need to should also know the correct understand the different names for their genitals from a emotions that come with young age. Try not to use ‘pet feeling ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’. For names’. This way, if a child is example, when feeling ‘safe’, touched inappropriately, they they may feel happy and have can clearly state to you or a a warm feeling inside; when trusted adult where they have feeling ‘unsafe’ they may feel been touched. scared and have a sick feeling in their tummy.

7. Discuss with your child their ‘early warning signs’ when feeling unsafe, i.e. heart racing, feeling sick in the tummy, sweaty palms, feeling like crying. Let them come up with some ideas of their own. Tell your child that they must tell you if any of their ‘early warning signs’ happen in any situation. Reinforce that you will always believe them and that they can tell you anything. 8. As your child grows, try as much as possible to discourage the keeping of secrets. (Perpetrators rely heavily on children keeping secrets.) Talk about happy surprises such as not telling Granny about her surprise birthday party and ‘bad’ secrets such as someone touching your private parts. Make sure your child knows that if someone does ask them to keep an inappropriate secret that they must tell you or someone in their network straightaway. 9. Discuss with your child when it is appropriate for someone to touch their private parts, e.g. a doctor if they are sick (but making sure they know you must be in the room). Discuss with your child that if someone does touch their private parts (without you there) they have the right to say: ‘No!’ or ‘Stop!’ and outstretch their arm and hand. Children (from a very young age) need to know their body is their body and no one has the right to touch it inappropriately. Lastly sexual abuse prevention and protective behaviours is not only a parent’s responsibly, it is also the community’s responsibility. Ask you childs kindergarten or school if they are running a protective behaviours program. If they are not, ask why not. And PLEASE lobby for it. Learn more about Jayneen Sanders, her book and how you can help by visiting the given link; http://somesecrets.info/

No to Human Trafficking

KEY Region with most known source of Human Trafficking victims. Region with most known destination of Human Trafficking

Region with most known transit Human Trafficking. Region with least known Human Trafficking activity.

Our World is stained by Human Trafficking; the illegal trade of human beings mostly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor and removal of organs. With at least 161 out of 196 countries involved in Human trafficking activity, the problem has gone beyond critical. Human Trafficking is an emergency! With 80% of most trafficked victims being female and 50% minors, drastic measures need to be put in place in order to end it. Governments all over the world and activists are working tirelesly to enforce laws that prohibit this illegal trade and to crack down all illegal networks. Human trafficking is the modern day slavery. It is believed that there are approximately over 27 million people trapped in slavery and about 1 million children in the sex slave trade today, though definite numbers cannot be known due to the nature of this illegal business.

No Slavery

Statistics not reviewed by independent party.

Do not feel helpless, there is something you can do to end human trafficking, the modern day slavery;

Firstly, find out as much as possible about human trafficking in your area and what is being done about it. Double checking on statistics is important as well in order to get the right figures and avoid sensationalists. Also do plenty of research on which industries are using forced labor and slavery; this is so that you can refrain from buying products from companies using forced or cheap labor. By stopping the demand, it breaks the cycle of slavery. Campaigning to companies to act responsibly in their labor sector could also help curb human trafficking in your area. If you notice any type of illegalities happening near you, report it immediately to the authorities and if nothing is done, collect conclusive evidence and take it to the media. Avoid going to places to investigate alone as this could prove dangerous.

No to Forced Labor Facts on Forced Labor

Forced Trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.

Slavery Convention (1926); The first international treaty, adopted by the League of Nations (UN predecessor) that defines slavery and slave trade and commits governments to abolishing slavery.

- TVPA -

While people today most likely believe that slavery is a thing of the past, the practice is still thriving wherever poverty, social conditions, and gullability can be exploited.

- UN -

Forms of Forced Labor include; - Slavery - Human Trafficking - Bonded Labor - Child Labor - Prison Labor - Labor Camps - Compulsory work - Domestic worker abuse - Military force - Farm and rural debt bondage. etc

- Kevin Bales Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy Forced Labor is a violation against the fundamental Human Rights. - ILO -

Forced Labor does not include: - compulsory military service... work of a purely military character; - the normal civic obligations of the citizens of a fully self-governing country; - any work or service exacted from any person as a consequence of a conviction in a court of law.* - any work or service exacted in cases of emergency. - minor communal services.

- FLC Slavery can be determined by; - the degree of restriction of the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inherent right to If you encounter any freedom of movement; incidences of forced labor; - the degree of control of the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Document it! Get evidence of the personal belongings; forced labor taking place. - the existence of informed consent and - Report it to the authorities. a full understanding of the - If you are not confident about the authorities, nature of the relationship take your evidence to the nearest organisation between the parties. working to enforce human rights in order to protect the victims of forced labour. - HREA - Inform others on forced labor.

- SFG -

YES TO CHOICE YES TO EDUCATION YES TO SEEKING HELP YES TO SELF DEFENSE ...

Stunts: Amy, Joe

Photographer: Augustine Efosa

I am gonna live my life the way i Yes to Choice what is best for me! story by Jamie Sumers

Life...

I am originally from back east; I took a backpack, put some food, some spare clothing, blanket and a tarp, did a sign with BC on it and left that province with 10$ in my pocket. I stayed on the street for 2- 3 months sleeping in a park near the ocean. It was the hippy life at its best; no worry about tomorrow, just relaxing and enjoying the sun.

CHOICES MADE

Love myself everyday i can, i will make it thro

Forever it will be

P O S I T I V E One day decided to take my life in my

hands again, hit a job and today I own my 40ft. Airstream trailer, have all that you have in a regular household in there, have two 4X4, an ‘89 Blazer and a ‘94 Suburban and 2 nice kiddy cats. If you believe in yourself all is possible.

YES I DID IT!

Love myself every can, i will make it

You just need to fight for yourself regardless of what others will say about your choice. Before I left, everyone in my surrounding told me I would not make it. It is now that they believe in me or perhaps it’s just jealousy that I was able to take a step that they could not?

RIGHT TO My life is going to be agirl. positive thing for people 11 Proud CHOICE

Yes to Education

My name is Sharlene Ferizi and I am just a mom of two beautiful daughters one 24 and other 22. I am so proud of them; they both grew up with some small forms of bullying in their life but nothing like I have seen recently on the pages online against bullying. I tried to be there for them and let them know how beautiful and special they are. They seem to have gotten through the high school route without a whole lot of problems but there was still some bullying here and there. I am proud that each one of them went onto further education; my eldest took Child and Youth Worker course at Sheridan College but is still looking for a job in her field. My other daughter is in University of Windsor taking Concurrent Education. They both pushed past the voices and the people who said no you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it or you are too this or too that. I am so proud of each of them.

written by Sharlene Ferizi

I am writing because I believe so strongly how important it is for girls especially to have the opportunity to go on for further education after high school. Girls deserve every opportunity to go on to College, University or a Trade School. As girls they need to see their own potential is so great and they can see what is out in the world and reach for the stars and use education to get there. Education offers girls so many more doors to open and this can lead to more schooling, a job, a change in what career path they thought they wanted, a job co-op program, and the sky is the limit. Education is a right for every student but especially girls as we need to stand strong and learn as much as we can and have this behind us when we go into the work force. I believe in education for girls in other countries that tend to not allow their girls to go to school, they need that opportunity so maybe they can get out from under the cloud they are living with. Education is the key to that door. We need to have programs setup all over the world for young women allowing them to come to school and have a real education and then that choice after as to what she wants to do with her life.

At least education will give her the tools to make that decision and know the opportunities that await her. This is their right and not simply a privilege. I am a strong believer in higher education for girls so they can become the women of our future and do great things for themselves and maybe for the rest of the world. Education is the key to them pulling out from behind the wall of shame from bullying whether it is here in Canada, United States or any other country. We as older women need to stand behind them, be there as mentors for them and be their soft place to fall when they need it. We can also let them know our experiences and maybe that will help them with their experience and road to the future. My wish is for all girls to have the opportunity, the right to further education and may they have people around them to help them reach those goals and we as older women need to be the vessels to help them in any way we can. I know I am here for them, our future is in their hands and we need them to be well prepared for their own future and happy life.

Yes to Seeking Help REACHING OUT written by Sontia Levy Have you ever been a victim of some form of abuse? Whether it was physically, verbally or mentally, it hurt didn’t it? Abuse can be something as small as someone calling you a name, or on the larger scale a physical altercation, either way, it needs to be reported. So often, abuse is down played. People will tell you, “Don’t be a wimp” or tell you “It’s not that big of a deal” but in all reality, if something hurt your feelings, if at any point in time you felt that your space had been violated or that you are uncomfortable in any way, you need to express that to someone. This is the exact reason for founding my Non Profit Organization Women Talk... Little Girls Listen. I have created a community for Women to come together and help one another and express what they are going through, in the meanwhile helping and uplifting each other through tough situations. Domestic violence is a gender-based crime with women being more likely to experience domestic violence than men. According to the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) about 1.5 million women are raped and/or physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually( Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Do you know what that statistic says to me? If there are 1.5 million women who have been affected by that sort of abuse, there must be millions of women out there experiencing abuse who haven’t report it. That’s a really scary thought. It’s time to SPEAK up women! It’s time to talk about what’s going on, it’s time to seek help! There are people out there that can truly love you, there are individuals, organizations, groups, programs etc., that will help you. If you are a women who has suffered abuse, or is still undergoing this dark, dark alley, I want to encourage you to follow these very important steps.

3 Steps To Reaching Out And Getting Help STEP 1

TELL SOMEONE - This is the first and the most important step. In order to get help, you have to let someone know what’s going on. Call, E-Mail, Text someone close to you. Tell them what’s been going on at home.

STEP 2

VACTATE - The Second Step is to vacate. Get away from there! Call and ask a friend to stay with them for the night or even find a few shelters that withhold your privacy. It’s time for you focus on your safety.

STEP 3

DEFEND - The last step is a tricky one but a forte to Safety First For Girls! Now that you’ve told someone, You’ve vacated and given yourself time to think, it’s time to DEFEND. Take heed to the help that the people have provided to you and prepare yourself with the right weapons to finish this fight. That weapon is the motivation that you have to move on with your life.

Don’t be afraid to speak up ladies, you can always reach out to Women Talk... Little Girls Listening by visiting our official blog Sontia.blogspot.com and also reach out to Safety First For Girls, enlightened professionals on safety and self defense to protect young women! We are always here with open arms! It’s never too late to reach out for help. Sontia Levy Owner & CEO Of Women Talk... Little Girls Listen Telltia@live.com Sontia.blogspot.com

Yes to Self-defense BASIC SELF-DEFENSE WHEN ATTACKED

When you face an impending attack always remember to; -

Stay calm, keeping a good distance away from the aggressor. Always take flight and avoid fighting;also never start the fight. Try not to get surrounded if it is a group attack. Be sure to leave evidence an attack took place e.g a picture, a voice recording or even a scar you made on attacker. - Be ready to defend yourself in case you cannot run away. - Keep in mind to target the body weak spots such as the eyes, nose, genitals and feet if attacked. - Scream as loud as you can for help. - Showing resistance can either scare off the aggressor or make the aggressor more angry, so trust your gut and be instinctive. - Report the crime as soon as possible. - Every attack is different and so defence tactics may differ, the following illustrations are very basic self-defense;

1 Forcefully Step on attackers foot!

4 Push the attacker away from you!

Hit the attackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nose strongly!

With side palm hit the attackers neck!

SCREAM LOUD FOR HELP!!!

Run away the first chance you get!

Stunts; Amy , Joe Photographer: Austin Efosa

NO TO ABUSE NO TO MENTAL ABUSE NO TO EARLY MARRIAGE NO TO DISCRIMINATION ...

No to Abuse

Removing Myself From The Abuser written by Lela A. Albert

In 1981, I met the man of my dreams, one year later we were married. I became Mrs. Daniel F. Albert, Jr. believing I would always be married. During the first year of getting to know him before the wedding, we had our ups and downs. As it got closer to the wedding, more downs than ups. Dan quit his job three days before the wedding out of anger toward his supervisor, but regained it back. But being in love, I excused his behaviors of self-centeredness and verbal abuse. After two years, the abuse increased, with a threat to do me physical harm. From that time on I lived in daily fear, the abuse increased with intense verbal abuses and some physical abuse. Well, even after the children came, the abuse continued not only with me but upon them as well. We did marriage counseling but Dan decided not to change his abusive ways. One day I had a ‘spiritual awakening’ and filed for divorce and 8 months later I was finally divorced in August 26, 1998. At the time of the divorce I was awarded sole legal custody of our two children due to Dan’s abuse and mental health issues. I experienced various issues with Dan after the divorce; he continued to harass me by the use of family court, mailings, phone-calls and visitations to our two children. I spent about 13 years post-divorce in family court, dealing with Dan’s contempt of court orders. Now living almost 14 years abuse free, I started back to college and now I am a full time college student obtaining my degree in Criminal Justice, graduating May of 2013. Currently am working on a book about my DV experiences and more recently one of my poems were published through a non- profit organization Safe Horizon of NYC. Two more of my poems were published with another non-profit in London, England. I want to empower others to leave their abuser by the sharing this story. Today, I am Lela Albert, mother, writer, poet, advocate, activist, and student of Criminal Justice at Richard Stockton College of NJ.

No to Mental abuse A POEM

Echoes in the mind Oh how they ring true The horrors have made blind Without touch still hurt bring How to escape the pain Will I Is there any prize to gain I will Footprints of guilt On the soil i tread Free I am but can memories wilt Ever will they disappear No it is not your fault No it is not your fault No it is not your fault No it is not your fault

...

No to Early Marriage written by Buumba Malambo

Child marriage is a human rights abuse. It constitutes a grave threat to young girls’ lives, health and future prospects. Early marriage for girls can lead to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and in developing countries these are the main causes of death among 15–19 year-old girls. Girls who are married off early are also exposed to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. For a girl, marriage can mean the end of her education, can set aside her chances of a vocation or career and can steal from her foundational life choices. Child marriage is widespread in Zambia; even though the legal age of marriage is 21 for both males and females, customary law and practice discriminate against girls and women with respect to inheritance, property and divorce rights. Domestic violence is a serious problem, with over half of married girls reporting ever experiencing physical violence and more than a third reporting abuse in the past year. Nationwide, 8 percent of girls were married by age 15, and 42 percent were married by the age of 18. Zambia is highly urban (42 percent of its young women live in urban areas), and marital patterns differ strongly by area of residence.

HOW TO CURB THIS ISSUE

• Publicize and enforce the national law that establishes 21 as the legal age of marriage. • Engage communities through public campaigns, pledges, or incentive schemes. • Raise the awareness of parents, community leaders, and policymakers about the health and rights implications of young girls marrying much older men. • Develop special social and health support structures for young, first-time mothers. • Encourage governments and communities to commit to getting girls to school on time and to keeping them in school through the secondary level. Being in school during adolescence has important health and development benefits for girls. • Develop social and economic programs for out-of-school girls, including non-formula education programs.

19 Buumba Malambo is working to eradicate child illitracy with her organisation buumbal

CAUSES OF EARLY MARRIAGES IN ZAMBIA • Poverty puts great pressure on families. Cases are reported of girls whose school fees are “sponsored” by a male relative and sexual favours are expected in return. • Orphans are particularly vulnerable to economic pressures within the family, especially when they are taken in by members of the extended family who are already caring for a number of school-going children. The culture of silence has caused this disease of child marriage to continue occurring. Child marriage often occurs in the shadows of poverty and gender inequality, impeding efforts to empower girls and boys and achieve long-term, sustainable development. It is both a symptom and a cause of ongoing development challenges, as the practice of child marriage further contributes to economic hardship, human rights violations, and under-investment in the educational and health care needs of children. Child marriage limits young girls’ skills, resources, knowledge, social support, mobility and autonomy. Young married girls have little power in relation to their husbands and in-laws. They are therefore extremely vulnerable to domestic violence, abuse and abandonment. Violence may include physical, sexual or psychological abuse.

lambofoundation.com. By eradicating child illitracy, child marriage can be stopped.

No to Discrimination written by Moondo Lee

gender, being handicapped, religion, housing, sexual orientation and many other forms.

The Word DISCRIMINATION derives from distinctive exclusion from a particular matter. DISCRIMINATION comes in many forms like race,

My own experience in dealing with DISCRIMINATION is still happening today in 2013. I am involved in a major dispute with an American icon retail department store in America because of discrimination. Prejudice, bigotry, racism and bullying have remained steadfast and have ruined and destroyed many lives because of its destructive manner.

Women have made great strides and DISCRIMINATION is contributions practiced in our banking system, housing, health to society but care, and other segments Racial DISCRIMINATION of our society. still hit the glass is most notorious in The legacy of ceiling... the U.S. history DISCRIMINATION shows because of Jim Crows Laws which enforced discrimination practices in the 1950’s & 60’s. The laws required separate but equal facilities like rail road, cars, waiting rooms, bathrooms, restaurants, parks, beaches, schools, prisons and many other separate but equal facilities. The Civil Rights Movement began in 1954 to demand equality for all. Dr. Martin Luther King and thousands marched in non-violent protest against DISCRIMINATION in the 1950’s & 60’s chanting “WE SHALL OVER-COME!”

its ugly face when a woman still makes 0.75cents to every man’s $1.00.

Women have made great strides and contribution to society but still hit the glass ceiling at many companies today because of DISCRIMINATION. It’s alive and well but shining a light on the ugly subject matter causes it to hide its face in shame. Through knowledge,understanding and a willingness to change our wicked ways we can overcome the ignorance of prejudice, bigotry and DISCRIMINATION everywhere!!!!

YES TO BE FREE YES TO RESPECT YES TO PRIVACY YES TO EQUALITY ...

Model : Lina Makonga Photographer: Louis

Yes to be Free We are all born Free and Equal. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.. eerrr Sisterhood... Ok, you know what I mean; work together for the good of humanity. This is the First Human Right. Except for the last part which was just added. Different people define freedom differently. Some of our definitions of being free may even conflict with others but this should not be the case; we ought to respect everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to be free and live as they wish as long as their freedom does not harm anothers. At Safety First for Girls, Freedom is Unity. We believe to be free is to live in a world devoid of slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, discrimination, sexual abuse, physical abuse, child marriage, mental abuse and all the evil vices in the world, and to have a world that embraces peace, offers help, in which there is respect with people allowed to make their own choices, privacy and a right to live. This freedom can only be achieved if we work together for the common cause, regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity and all the little things that make us different from one another. Simply setting aside all our differences and working towards a common good. What is your definition of Freedom? .................................................................................................................

Let us know today; safetyfirstforgirls@aol.com

Yes to Respect story by Bwalya Chibale

In the society I live, women are treated like items meant for men to use, take for example; Someone in my neighborhood impregnated both his girlfriend and the girl from next door. So to clear the dilemma he decided that the one who gave birth to a baby boy would be the one he would marry. His girlfriend had a baby boy and the girl next door had a baby girl therefore he married his girlfriend and left the other girl. The two girls are always fighting over their children and him. To make matters worse, it is rumored he has two other children with two different women in another town. And now he is having a second baby with his girlfriend whilst the girl next door is having her second baby from another man. It is ridiculous how men are taking advantage of women and always getting away with it, take this instance where a guy impregnates a girl, he is allowed to go to school and move on with his life whilst the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entire world is put on hold. I say the effects should be equal as this is just not fair. This does not just happen with the guys here. These things have been going on all over the world; women being treated like trash by men and then being left to pick up the pieces on their own. Truthfully both parties are to blame in this respect, if you know what I mean. In order to get that respect, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about give and take. Men should be taught how to respect women and women should learn to stand up for what they believe in by not letting men take so much control of us and learning to say NO! Learning to say No is a big step to acquire respect so that men will see us women differently.

Yes to Privacy an interview with Debbie Mwema

We caught up with Debbie, a student of architecture and asked her a few questions on what she thought about privacy. The following are what we learnt from her;

Q: A:

What does privacy mean to you?

Privacy to me is the ability to function in a comfortable enclosed area which has a good environment for the particular function one undertakes.

If someone you care for has a problem but they are keeping it private and not telling you, is it advisable to intrude in their privacy in order to help them?

Well, it all depends on how I see it is affecting them. For me to even know that they are keeping it from me means they have shown me the signs that something is bothering them. I will try best to be the pillar they can open up to by even just being there as a friend.

With the coming of internet and many social networking sites. Is it possible to stay private and safe? And if yes, how?

Yes it is possible, firstly by knowing and understanding what network you are involving yourself with and their private settings. Secondly by not putting everything about your life online, helps avoid preying eyes.

How should someone react if their privacy is breached online or offline?

They should respond immediately by checking if their privacy settings are on. They can even increase privacy by only allowing little information to be seen publicly. Other than that, a change of password may be required due to hacks. Everyone ought to take privacy serious. Secondly be careful the places you go and the time. Make sure you keep your space secure and thirdly you can inform police if your privacy is breached.

Q: Is privacy important for safety? A: Yes privacy and safety go hand in hand....Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very important.

Privacy enables you not to fall prey to dangerous people and enables you to live a normal life without abrupt interferences from the public.

Yes to Equality STANDING UP TO THE BULLY story by Mellisa

My step daughter is a big bully. She will bully anyone including infants and the old. Back in 2007, she was being rude to my daughter Anne* because she is mixed, black and white. My step daughter Claire* looked at Anne and said, “I do not like you because you are black.” I have taught my daughter to be strong and never allow anyone’s negative opinion to bring her down. And that usually bullies are lonely people who try to act big and bad. I was so proud of how my daughter acted and she was only 7 years old at the time. Anne looked at Claire nice and calmly said “I do not like you because you are a bully and pathetic.” I could not be more proud and still today she does not allow others to put her down, she is her own self no matter what anyone thinks.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the persons.

sfg our 1st year easy safety tools SAFETY TIPS BASIC FIRST AID ...

Picture by Jamie Sumers

SFG 1ST Year www.safetyfirstforgirls.org Our first year went something like this...

May 09th 2012

January 04th 2013

Safety First for Girls is founded with the blog; www.safetyfirstforgirls.blogspot.com

Safety First for Girls partners with a recognized international organisation.

June 24th 2012

February 06th 2013

Visit to Orphanage home as visitor.

September 01st 2012

Attended Charity Event as volunteer at an Orphanage.

September 14th 2012

Meeting with security personnel who advised we progress Safety First for Girls to aiding girls escape Human Trafficking and train each girl on self-defense.

September 29th 2012

Case Study, Evaluation and Planning.

OCTOber 30th 2012

How to be safe tips series on our blog. Advice services extended online through blog, facebook timeline and email; safetyfirstforgirls@aol.com

November 10th 2012

Video shooting for Safety First for Girls Introduction video with volunteers.

November 25th 2012

Safety First for Girls dream published on 7 Billion Actions Story #1660.

November 30

2012

Visit to Orphanage and donations.

December 05th 2012

Release of the Safety First for Girls Introduction video.

Safety First for Girls dropped from recognized international organisation due to location and clarity.

February 13th 2013

Safety First for Girls dream for a safer world to be included in the Lancet Journal.

March 16th 2013

Petition to Raise Awareness on Safety Education to schools and communities on causes.

April 05th 2013

Safety First for Girls launches own website; www.safetyfirstforgirls.org

April 16th 2013

Preparation for Girl Safety Signs Educational Booklet. Submissions from volunteers and editing work.

April 25th 2013

Rounding up the Safety Education series to pass on to educators and individuals for safety education awareness to be taught in schools and communities.

April 30th 2013

Booklets mailed to some volunteers.

May 09th 2013

Safety First for Girls Education Booklet released.Safety Education Series released. Safety First for Girls is 01 year old.

Thank you to each one of you who believed in us. We could not have come this far without you. Thank you so much to YOU!.

Easy Safety Tools Look around you and you see nothing you could use as a tool for self-defense, well look again. Those stilletos of yours are a safety tool because you can easily take them off when running away from danger or even use them as a tool to throw to the attacker in order to escape danger. The umbrella can also be used as a defense tool when attacked, when closed it makes the perfect sword. The car keys and the pen are for a more close up confrontation, thrust them hard into the attackers weak spots such as the nose , eyes, ears and then run away from the danger!

The easy sharp tools such as the pocket knife, razor, safety pins and even knitting sticks are easy to carry around anywhere. When faced with danger, they can easily be withdrawn from your wallet, side pocket of your bag or from your own pocket and used for defense against any attacker. Remember, the attacker may be armed so do not attack first as this may place you at a disadvantage. Perceive your attackers next move and then surprise them with a sharp cut when they attack giving you a chance to run as well as leaving evidence on the attacker which can later be used as proof when identifying the criminal.

Many times we feel afraid to use our own bodies as a self-defense tool. When attacked, if close to the attacker, you can use your teeth to bite them. Remember, if possible, also bite the sensitive parts of the body like the ears, nose and genitals in order to disarm the attacker. Do not feel shy as they want to hurt you. Use your mouth to scream and use your nails to scratch the attacker to leave evidence of the attack and allow you to run away. Pepper spray is a favorite tool for us but remember to aim directly at the eyes for effect.

Safety Tips

Safety is the condition of being protected from, or unlikeliness to cause danger, risk or injury.

To keep safe should not be considered as a duty, chore or even a hobby but should be taken as a consciousness in our everyday life. Safety is a learned awareness and should be taught.

Often when we think of safety what comes in mind are keeping safe from threats such as theft, human trafficking, accidents, vandalism, online safety, credit card and physical abuse among many others. Learning on these forms of safety is very important and relevant but there is more to safety that because safety extends beyond what we can see and touch. Safety should also reach within, such as internal safety and no am not talking about weapons; it is about safety on the inside and much less is talked about in regards to this. Excuse me? Internal Safety? What is that? This is safety in regards to the mind, the emotions and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;heartâ&#x20AC;?. Threats to internal safety include mental illness, heart break, emotional abuse, depression and anxiety disorders among many others. Our internal being that we do not see or touch has equal potential in compromising safety; not only our own but of others too. Check out the Safety First for Girls Educational Series to learn more about internal and external safety.

FEW RANDOM BASIC TIPS FOR SAFETY

Always have a plan in your mind for any emergency situation. Keep extra cash at hand all the time for emergencies. In a robbery, if the robber asks for something you have say your cell phone, throw it away from your body and do not hand it to the criminal. This is in order to divert attention from you and gives you a second head start to run away. Do not try to attack your attacker as they are potentially very dangerous or even armed. Use self-defense only when the situation cannot be contained.Always run when you get the chance. Report a crime soon after it happens or if you see a crime going on immediately call the police. Always seek counselling if you feel you are in an unhealthy relationship; it could be a work relationship, an official relationship such as a student-teacher relationship, a love affair or even family relationship. If you experience any form of trauma, immediately seek counselling or therapy. Always be alert and avoid being distracted from your environment. Avoid dark places or walking alone. Follow your instincts and do not go anywhere you do not feel like. For further information visit; www.safetyfirstforgirls.org

Basic Fiirst Aid

When faced with an emergency,First Aid can help save the life of a victim. Some basic tips when giving first aid; - Do NOT Panic and Stay calm. - Do NOT move the victim. - Identify the problem immediately. - Know what to look for. The 3 critical things are known as A,B,Cs. A Airway, Is the persons airway obstructed? B Breathing, Is the person breathing? C Circulation, Does the person have a pulse? - Before giving First Aid call the emergency number in your area and explain clearly the situation. - Listen for advice on how to help the victim. - Do not leave a victim until help arrives! - Determine how responsive the vicitm is; Are they concious or not? Speak to the victim and gently try to rouse them. - Try to keep the victim concious by making sure their clothes are loosened. Loosen any belt, button, zips and underwear such as bra for women for easy breathing. - Check for signs of breathing, if chest is rising and dropping,sounds of breathing or breath from their mouth. - Lift the chin to allow air passage. - Administer CPR only if the victim has no pulse and is not breathing. Lay carefully the victim on their back, initiate chest compressions, check passage airway and initiate breathing by closing the victims nose and breathing into their mouth with your mouth. - Do NOT perform heart compressions on someone whose heart is beating as this may cause damage to the heart. - If the victim is bleeding, try to stop the bleeding immediately by putting pressure on the wound. - If the victim has a burn immediately rush clean cold water over it. Do NOT apply anything else on the burn. - If the victim has swallowed poison, identify the poison, call emergency for instructions, do not try to induce vomiting unless instructed to do so. These are very basic First Aid tips and you need proper training and equipment in order to deliver proffesional First Aid. This information is not intended as substitute for professional advice. Seek medical assistance immediately when faced with an emergency.

BUUMBALAMBO FOUNDATION ZAMBIA FIGHTING POVERTY & MALNUTRITION UGANDA GET INVOLVED THANK YOU! ...

Photographer: Sai Min Zaw

Buumbalamb

“One great protective wall of merc

WWW.BUUMBALAMB

OBJECTIVES

Buumba Malambo, 22, is a university student and the founder of the Buumbalambo Foundation in the Southern African country of Zambia. Her vision is to create a community where every child is educated in order to improve the quality of life for the society not only in her country but also worldwide. Buumbalambo Foundation for the children in need was founded after identifying the gap in the education sector because of iliteracy. It came to her realisation that the only way to curb most of the poverty and illiteracy problems the society faces holistically was to uproot the problem from the roots which in this case rooted from child illitracy. This would be done by using the tactics of Education and Taping talent in vulnerable children with sports like soccer and Netball. Buumba has since dedicated her life for this cause.

Buumbalambo foundation for the children in need is a registered NGO whose major objectives are: • To sensitise the community on the importance of child education through the Back to School Campaign. • To help connect vulnerable children to companies, NGOs, prominent people and families both abroad and local to help sponsor the selected vulnerable children to access education. • To advocate for children rights and act as a link between the vulnerable children and the relevant stakeholders. • To encourage the out of school vulnerable children to go back to school by using sport and talent.

VISION

Buumbalambo Foundation (BMF) envisions children living in an illiteracy free society.

MISSION STATEMENT

Buumbalambo Foundation for the Children in need exists by being a child-driven, child focused organisation which mobilises different resources to address issues of child illiteracy to ultimately help improve the quality of life of the vulnerable children through education.

GOAL

Expand education awareness activities towards progressive reduction of child illiteracy.

THE TEAM

Keith Sampa Programme Officer, Zambia. Michaela Griffiths Programme Officer, Scotland.Irene Lelieveld, Mentor. Keiran Griffiths, Manager. Tina Leveridge, PR and Marketing Manager. Other Associates.

bo Foundation

cy around the vulnerable children”

BOFOUNDATION.COM

RESOURCES

Donations can be given in both monetary and educational materials such as exercise books, story books, pens, pencils, shoes and clothes for children aged between 2 and 10. We also invite companies and individuals that would want to sponsor any of the mentioned basic needs to the resource centre. Resources in monetary form are to be deposited in the foundation account and will be used to fight ilitracy.

Be a partner and support the Back to School Camphaign. CONTACT NUMBER: +260968871022 +260972539570 Call for further details. Or Email; buumbamalambo@yahoo.com VISIT THE WEBSITE:

WWW.BUUMBALAMBOFOUNDATION.COM

SEND A DONATION: Ms. Buumba Malambo Buumbamalambo Foundation 255 Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, Mufulira, Copperbelt, Zambia. Registration No: ORS/1O2/35/4792

“I will die serving my people, more so the little children...” - Buumba Malambo -

FIGHTING MALNUTRITION AND POVERTY! Written by Pat Brennan Mawazo is a thirteen year old girl. She is now the head of her family, with four younger siblings. They are living alone in a one roomed grass-thatched, tiny, old hut. They live in a village called Mukongoro, the last village at the top of the hill on the border of Uganda and Congo. Mawazo is an intelligent girl; hardworking, working all day to support her younger siblings. Samwiri is ten years old, Eliya is seven, Aaron is five and Kellen is three. None of the children attend school. Mawazo “dropped out” of school about a year ago, in order to look after the younger children. After the death of their parents, immediate relatives did not care for them and stole their property and land. The children live near their uncle, who is very poor. Bwindi Hospital Community Team became aware of Mawazo while visiting the village during their routine malnutrition screening and mass de-worming programme. Samwiri was severely malnourished and was brought to Bwindi Community Hospital for admission. After intense treatment, Samwiri was discharged but unfortunately had to be re-admitted, still suffering from severe malnutrition. It was at this time that the Community Team became aware Samwiri and his siblings were orphans and also discovered there were no immediate relatives who were prepared to support the children except for one uncle, who was too poor himself to be able to do much for the children. Samwiri has had further re-admissions to the hospital, because he is unable to receive enough nutritious food to aid his recovery. Bwindi Hospital Community Health Team appealed to the hospital staff to support the children especially with food and clothing. As a result of this appeal, the staff supplied the children with beans, maize flour, sugar and butter. The community team visited Mawazo and her siblings with special emphasis on checking Samwiri’s progress. With regular checks, Samwiri is making slow but positive progress. Mawazo and her four younger siblings are in great need of a basic and improved shelter, food, clothing, health care and the opportunity to receive a school education. If these basic requirements are achieved, the chances of the children’s survival will greatly increase. This sad and shocking situation Mawazo, Samwiri, Eliya, Aaron and Kellen are in is not a story but reality. For humanitarian reasons we have to do something for children such as Mawazo, Samwiri, Eliya, Aaron and Kellen. Blessed Mother Teresa left us with many profound examples of caring for and supporting the poor and disadvantaged in our world. Blessed Mother Teresa once said:-

“When we die and it comes for God to judge, He won’t ask how many good things have you done in your life, but how much love did you put into what you did.” To learn more about Bwindi Community visit: www.bwindihospital.com or Email; bwindicommunityhospital@gmail.com and support their work in fighting malnutrition and poverty.

You are all it takes

.. on what you can do; D.ideas VE OL INV T GE some are to change the world! How? Here

SOME SECRETS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT d Not Be Kept and get creative with it.

That’s right! Purchase the Book Some Secrets Shoul as a gift. It’s your way of Read it to all the little children around you, share it and give it can help prevent child educating the children on safe and unsafe touch, a technique that wer children to stand up for sexual abuse. You can also learn the body safety song and empo ts.info. themselves. Be that Hero and save young lives. Visit: somesecre

WOMEN TALK... LITTLE GIRLS LISTEN

get empowered to change Which one are you? Join a community of empowered women and empowered women, be your world. Seek advice or counsel, advertise your business, meet on Facebook, for queries part of a loving community. Join Women Talk...Little Girls Listen Sontia.blogspot.com send an email to Sontia at; telltia@live.com and visit the blog;

SEND A DONATION

food, collect unused Gather round your friends, family, colleaugues and community. Buy package them nicely textbooks, get clothes, money and useful things you no longer need, and send them as a donation. No idea where to donate?

DONATE TO BUUMBALAMBO FOUNDATION!

or send to; 255 jomo For monetary donations visit; www.buumbalambofoundation.com Kenyatta avenue, mufulira, Zambia.

DONATE TO BWINDI HOSPITAL!

Bwindi Community For monetary donations visit: www.bwindihospital.com or send to; hospital@gmail.com Hospital, P.O Box 58 Kanungu, Uganda. Email; bwindicommunity

DONATE TO A CHARITY NEAR YOU!

donate your time. More than a donation to your preffered charity, near you or far away, What are you waiting for? Volunteer Today!

GIVING AID! DONATE TO A RELIEF FUND SUCH AS UN OR RED CROSS TO HELP IN

BE A GUEST WRITER FOR OUR BLOG

about safety and security. Do you have a passion for writing? Or maybe you are passionate we could share it on our Write up an article on any topic relating to safety or security and blog at www.safetyfirstforgirls.org

BE AN EDUCATOR

Safety First for Girls Be an advocate for safety. Equip yourself and those around you with tion in order to reduce crime safety educational series and spread awareness on safety educa for Girls or send an email and abuse. For further details visit the Facebook page; Safety First to; safetyfirstforgirls@aol.com

HELP OTHERS NEAR YOU

Share your extra sweater You see that girl in your classroom who is cold and has no sweater? with her! Spread the warmth. Report to the Authorities in See that boy being bullied? Turn your head, look! Get evidence, seen doing good. Be that charge and make certain the abuse stops. You do not need to be angel in disguise today! Save a life today!

SPREAD THE WORD

is no limit to how you It’s as easy as word of mouth, a like, a tweet or even a share! There ? Let us know! can change the world! What are you doing to change your WORLD

Special Note ... _______________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________ ________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________ _______________

THANK YOU! WRITERS / STORIES Moondo Lee Jayneen Sanders Sharlene Ferizi Lela A. Albert Buumba Malambo Sontia Levy Pat Brennan Jamie Sumers Melissa Deborah Mwema PHOTOGRAPHERS Sai Min Zaw Andrew Potten Austin Efosa Sylvia Kreinberg VIDEOGRAPHY Augustine Efosa Debbie Mwema MODELS Gallagher Di Martino Hadassah Louis Sukanya Potten Dolchi Dee Jamie Sumers Amy Chang Lina Makonga LAYOUT AND DESIGN Hadassah Louis EXTRA CREDIT Zhack Rhino Claudia Aymar You! ALL OF OUR SFG FOLLOWERS! Thank you to the likers, the tweeters, the commentators, the friends, the critics, the contributors, the sharers, the petitioners and all who believe in Safety First for Girls.