Published
01 Apr 2025
Recognising that teenage pregnancy is a significant barrier to girls’ education and their future prospects, the Endeavour Foundation launched “Je Choisis Mon Avenir” (I Choose My Future), an initiative designed to address this critical issue in rural communities.
Teenage pregnancy in these communities is a complex problem often rooted in a lack of comprehensive sex education, social pressures, and cultural practices, perpetuating gender inequality and the cycle of poverty. “Je Choisis Mon Avenir” aims to empower young women to make informed choices about their futures. This year, we continued our partnership with the NGO Overcome Women and expanded the programme to our Lafigué mine and the Assafou project. We conducted a series of educational workshops led by healthcare professionals, reaching over 1,000 students and 500 parents in the local communities. These workshops raised community awareness about the risks and consequences of early pregnancy and promoted responsible, protective behaviour. Building on successful workshops held in Zouan-Hounien last year, near our Ity mine, we’ve now established Health Clubs in local secondary schools. These clubs provide a forum for students to discuss sexual and reproductive health, access information, and gain the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their futures. By addressing early pregnancy, we are reinforcing our commitment to reducing gender inequality and expanding opportunities for young women in our operating countries.