THE STORY
A country marked by a great number of long-lasting challenges. Although there has been a substantive increase in the household income, over two-thirds of the population still live below the poverty line.
This Sub-Saharan Africa country is ranked 139th out of 159 countries on the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index. Women are exposed to threats of diseases, discrimination and violence.
Around 94% of girls in Mozambique enroll in primary school, but despite this high number, only 11% of girls continue to study in secondary schools. As girls grow older, they are met by an increasing domestic workload and more responsibilities. Many girls have no choice but to stay at home to do chores or work to help their families. Teen pregnancies prove to be a major reason for girls dropping out of school early. 30 to 40 percent of girls are pregnant before they turn 18 years old. Taking care of a child, working and performing household chores can be overbearing and leave these girls no time for school.
This Sub-Saharan Africa country is ranked 139th out of 159 countries on the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index. Women are exposed to threats of diseases, discrimination and violence.
Around 94% of girls in Mozambique enroll in primary school, but despite this high number, only 11% of girls continue to study in secondary schools. As girls grow older, they are met by an increasing domestic workload and more responsibilities. Many girls have no choice but to stay at home to do chores or work to help their families. Teen pregnancies prove to be a major reason for girls dropping out of school early. 30 to 40 percent of girls are pregnant before they turn 18 years old. Taking care of a child, working and performing household chores can be overbearing and leave these girls no time for school.
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*The center is designed to provide a safe space for these girls where they can study and become the next generation of female leaders. The design ensures that the girls and women in their community are able to finish their studies and not have to leave school early. It is a place where they can learn, play, run, explore and interact with each other and The surrounding environment, taking into account and reusing materials and natural resources in the area.
*The center was built from clay brick material and since the area is severely dehydrated, a system was designed to reuse rainwater and integrate techniques into the design and the center will be equipped with solar panels that provide the center with electricity.
*As agriculture plays an important role in the region, a workspace has been secured for planting and storing vegetables. All fruit trees have been preserved in the place and reused. This is to the benefit of securing food for the center and as an income-generating activity.
