Safe Spaces for Displaced Girls in Darfur: Education, Protection, and Support

A group discussion session was held at the Multi-Purpose Reception Center in Tawila locality, North Darfur State, focusing on the social, psychological, and economic impacts of displacement on girls under the age of 20.

The session brought together 51 girls and women, including 22 participants aged 18 and above and 29 participants under the age of 18. They discussed the key challenges facing displaced girls and their most urgent needs amid the ongoing displacement crisis.

Mohamed Abdel Shafie, a member of the Hope Organization, told Mashaweer that the session aimed to provide a safe space where girls could freely express their views and share their needs, helping to develop solutions that reflect their realities and strengthen their protection during displacement.

He added that involving girls in such discussions is a vital part of designing humanitarian programs, ensuring that interventions are based on their actual needs and better equip them to cope with the challenges they face every day.

For her part, Munira Younis, one of the participants, told Mashaweer that the meeting gave girls an opportunity to speak openly about their experiences and hardships in a safe and supportive environment.

She noted that displacement has had a profound impact on education, psychological well-being, and the social lives of many girls.

Munira expressed hope that the outcomes of these discussions would be translated into practical programs that strengthen girls’ protection and provide greater access to education, psychosocial support, and empowerment opportunities, helping them overcome the effects of displacement and restore hope for the future.