In 2024, we helped 4,093 girls OF 13-TO-18-YEAR-OLD including 788 of their children!
Prostitution is illegal in the Republic of the Congo, but remains an important phenomenon. Many girls under the age of 16 are engaged in prostitution as a mean of survival. They experience a daily life marked by physical, mental and sexual violence. More than 40% of these girls have been raped at least once. Also, 50% of the girls have a child. Deprived of incomes, these girls find themselves with no prospect for the future.
AIS offers a humanitarian, educational, medical, psychological and developmental initiative that allows girls ages 13-18 victims of sexual exploitation, the opportunity to take ownership of their future by going to school or entering vocational trainings.
In 2024, we did 354 street outreaches and meet 4,093 girls under 18 and 1,239 over 18. We referred 1,579 girls under 18 to our daycare centers.
We distributed 28,060 meals to them and 9,219 to their children. An average of 25 children of 3 months to 5 years-old, came per day at our nursery centers.
1,172 have received medical consultations, 1,941 psychological, social and family interviews and 41 girls went back to their family. 103 girls were referred to our Gender Based Violence (GBV) program by external adults, other organizations or police officers. 32,795 condoms were distributed.
They also access weekly group therapy, educational activities, 772 literacy classes, etc.
42 girls have graduated from professional training.
SUCCESSES FOR GIRLS AGES 13-18:
- 85% of girls are reintegrated into their family, returned to school and/or gained stable income generation
- 15% are reintegrated into family/society but remain unemployed
- Only 5% are unaccounted for
A new cohort of girls as young as 8 years old has been pushed into sexual exploitation in order to survive the global economic downturn and Covid crises. The suffering, long-term development consequences and urgent need to stop this trend cannot be overstated.
In January 2023, AIS has launched a new project to address the needs to some 30 girls of the 8- to 12-year-old group .
AIS’s comprehensive “care cycle” program assists these very young girls with medical, psychological, educational, and legal support. After a stabilization phase in AIS centers, family reunion or foster homes are provided as well as school re-enrollment.
Finally, they will join the existing program for 13-18 old girls, continuing school or registering into vocational training.