As I look back on 2024, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the work accomplished under SAFIGI (Safety First for Girls) and the strides made in advancing the Holistic Safety Education course. This past year was transformative, marked by challenges that demanded innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to empowering individuals through education.
Expanding the Reach of Holistic Safety
One of the significant milestones of 2024 was the expansion of the Holistic Safety Education course. At its core, this course is a response to the complex and interconnected safety needs people face especially the girl child.
By integrating modules that address Internal Safety (Mental, Cultural and Emotional Safety) and External Safety (Body, Environmental, Cultural, and Societal Safety), the course offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and enhancing personal well-being and resilience.
This past year, we saw remarkable engagement with the course. An internal trial run exposed that pparticipants will be able to resonated with the non-linear structure, which allows them to prioritize modules based on their unique self-assessment outcomes. The pre-assessment tool became a gateway for learners to dive into specific areas of need, whether it was building emotional resilience or navigating societal safety challenges.
Innovative Learning Solutions
Given the course’s entirely online format and absence of video content, we leaned heavily on interactive and text-based resources to create an engaging learning environment. The course prioritized clarity, practical examples, and reflective exercises to ensure the material was accessible to all, regardless of technical or bandwidth limitations. The internal feedback confirmed that this approach will empower participants to learn at their own pace, internalizing the lessons in a deeply personal way.
Collaborations
Working with SAFIGI provided opportunities to connect with diverse stakeholders including international partners such as UNESCO and local higher learning institutions like Evelyn Hone College. Together, we explored ways to incorporate safety education into broader community development initiatives. Each interaction reaffirmed the importance of equipping individuals especially girls and young women with tools to recognize, respond to, and mitigate safety risks in their lives.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we step into 2025, the vision for SAFIGI and the Holistic Safety Education course is even more ambitious. This year, we aim to:
Scale up our outreach to multiple stakeholders, including governmental bodies, international organizations, and corporate sponsors, to secure vital partnerships and funding.
Further enhance the course content, incorporating emerging safety concerns and innovative solutions.
Strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the program's impact effectively.
Empower more individuals and communities through workshops, training sessions, and targeted campaigns.
The journey so far has been deeply fulfilling, and I am excited about what lies ahead. SAFIGI has been more than an organization it has been a platform for hope, growth, and transformation. As we enter 2025, I am inspired by the strong willed team for the great work and am committed to amplifying these voices in the year to come.
A Call to Action
To everyone reading this, I invite you to join us on this journey. Whether by enrolling in the Holistic Safety Education course, sharing it within your networks, or collaborating with SAFIGI, your involvement can make a difference. Together, let’s create a world where safety is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all.
Here’s to a safer, brighter, and more inclusive 2025!
By Yanjanani Brian Phiri
Yanjanani is a skilled Researcher and Public Health Specialist with over ten years of experience in Monitoring & Evaluation, Project Management, and community engagement in Zambia. He excels in planning, managing, and tracking health programs, and has extensive knowledge of DHIS2, Smartcare, and DATIM.
Recently, he has managed humanitarian projects and developed M&E plans and data collection tools. He is currently working with SAFIGI Outreach Foundation as the eLearning and Social Impact Lead.
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