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Empowering girls through personal safety and financial literacy: lessons from AiD’s school and youth club workshop

On Saturday, 1 March 2025, Allies in Development (AiD) organized a one-day Personal Safety and Financial Literacy Workshop for adolescent girls and teenagers participating in the AiD School and Youth Club Programme.

The workshop was hosted at Freetown Secondary School for Girls in Brookfields, Freetown, and brought together 45 girls for a day of learning, discussion, and skills development focused on violence prevention, personal safety, and financial awareness.

The activity formed part of AiD’s violence prevention education initiative, which aims to equip girls and young people with knowledge, skills, and support networks that enable them to recognize risks, seek help, and make informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing.

Workshop facilitators and partners

The workshop was facilitated through the support and expertise of:

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone
Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police
Parenting Network Worldwide

Each facilitator contributed practical knowledge and perspectives on safety, reporting mechanisms, financial responsibility, and support systems available to young people.

Key learning areas

The workshop focused on six key areas:

1. Understanding Risks and Personal Safety

Participants explored how gender-based violence can occur in different environments and learned how to identify situations that may increase risks of exploitation, abuse, or harm.

2. Developing Personal Safety Plans

Girls were introduced to practical approaches for strengthening their personal safety, including recognizing warning signs, seeking support, and identifying trusted individuals and services they can approach when facing challenges.

3. Reporting Gender-Based Violence

The session provided information on available reporting pathways and the role of institutions such as the Family Support Unit in responding to cases of violence against women and girls.

4. Accessing Support Services

Participants learned about survivor support services and the importance of seeking help when experiencing or witnessing violence.

5. Financial Literacy and Savings

The workshop introduced participants to the importance of saving, responsible financial decision-making, and developing positive financial habits from an early age.

6. Managing and Investing Money

Girls explored basic concepts around managing money, planning for future needs, and understanding how financial skills can contribute to greater independence and confidence.

Connecting financial literacy and personal safety

The workshop created space for important conversations about the relationship between financial vulnerability, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence among young people.

Participants discussed how economic pressures can sometimes increase vulnerability to harmful situations, including sexual solicitation and exploitation. The session highlighted the importance of combining violence prevention education with skills that strengthen young people’s confidence, decision-making abilities, and access to information.

Strengthening partnerships for girls’ empowerment

Allies in Development extends its appreciation to Freetown Secondary School for Girls for hosting the workshop and to UBA Sierra Leone, the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police, and Parenting Network Worldwide for sharing their expertise and supporting the learning experience.

Through partnerships and community-based education, AiD continues to create safe spaces where girls can access information, develop skills, and strengthen their ability to protect themselves and make informed choices.

Looking ahead

AiD remains committed to expanding violence prevention education through the School and Youth Club Programme, ensuring that more girls have access to knowledge, support networks, and opportunities that contribute to their safety and empowerment.