By Yunus S Saliu
Girls’ Pride Gambia recently conducted Funneh Board Game sessions in Regions 1 and 2 as part of its Women Empowerment project #Play2Educate. The initiative aimed to educate school ambassadors and students on menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM) and raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within schools.
Funded by the French Embassy in The Gambia and Senegal and coordinated by Alliance Francaise de Banjul, the project seeks to improve menstrual health practices, reduce stigma, and combat period shaming while empowering students to become advocates for change.
The Funneh Board Game is a game-based learning platform designed to engage both male and female students, young and old, in discussing sensitive topics such as MHHM and gender-based violence.
Musa Wally, a trainer for the sessions, explained that the board game is a fun and memorable way to address issues that are often seen as taboo, particularly topics that are not commonly discussed between parents and children, especially regarding girls’ health. He emphasized that the game is inclusive, encouraging boys to become supportive allies and advocates for their female peers.
Wally also highlighted challenges when working with students who have special needs, noting that they may require more time to grasp the concepts presented in the game. Nonetheless, the sessions were successful in reaching diverse audiences and promoting open discussions on sensitive subjects.
Khaddy E Jarjou, a teacher coordinator at Kombo KerewanUpper Basic School, praised the Funneh Board Game as an effective educational tool. She noted that the game helps students better understand menstrual health, hygiene management, and gender-based violence. She also pointed out that the game is particularly beneficial in encouraging self-guided learning, with students able to continue learning even in the absence of their teachers.
Sally Bojang, a teacher coordinator at Gunjur Senior Secondary School, shared that the school had incorporated the Funneh Board Game into their Friday activities. Despite initial challenges, Bojang reported that students are now more engaged and are even presenting on MHHM at the school’s morning assembly.
Students also expressed their appreciation for the initiative. A Grade 11 student from Gunjur Senior Secondary School praised the organizers for creating a valuable learning experience.
Teachers and students alike recommended expanding the availability of the Funneh Board Game by developing an app version to enhance accessibility and integrating it into the school curriculum across various subjects.
Challenges identified during the sessions included limited availability of the Funneh Board Game in schools, time constraints, and the fact that only 25 students per school could be trained at a time. Teachers suggested reviewing the training capacity to ensure broader participation and more effective learning.
On training, the #Play2Educate Project has succeeded, with Girls’ Pride Gambia reaching 880 students and 35 schoolteachers from 35 schools across regions 1 and 2. Of the total participants, 475 were girls, and 440 were boys. Each participating school received a Funneh Board Game focused on menstrual health and hygiene management, as well as sexual and gender-based violence.
The project team will host an interschool Funneh Board Game competition among the schools in January 2025 to evaluate the project’s impact and further promote peer-to-peer learning through the established MHHM & SGBV ambassador networks in schools.
Through these efforts, Girls’ Pride Gambia continues to empower students, foster awareness of vital health issues, and encourage positive social change within the community.