Protecting adolescence to strengthen the future.

UNICEF Angola received Her Excellency, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Angola, Henny de Vries, for a field visit to the municipality of Viana, where key projects supported in the area of education and child protection were presented. Accompanied by the a.i Representative of UNICEF Angola, Cristina Brugiolo, and the municipal administrator, Demétrio António Brás de Sepúlveda, the Ambassador went to Bairro Gika, where she was able to get to know the Minha Kamba program up close, an initiative that has been transforming the lives of adolescent girls in vulnerable situations.

Upon arriving in the neighborhood, the strength of the community and the impact of the initiative was evident, built to offer a safe space where girls can meet with others their age and share experiences, doubts and challenges. At the heart of the programme is the creation of peer-to-peer support groups, facilitated by trained mentors, who accompany participants in conversations about protection, mental health, wellbeing, sexual and reproductive health, and fundamental rights. More than information, Minha Kamba promotes trust, belonging and the ability to make informed decisions in a period of life marked by rapid changes and, often, invisible risks.

During the meeting with the girls, the Ambassador of the Netherlands highlighted the relevance of the intervention, stressing that "the Minha Kamba project is an example that we have to inform more people about the risks, about human rights, about the prevention of teenage pregnancy and about domestic violence. 

It is important that every boy and girl goes to school, learns and has a healthy life, with skills that allow them to face the future". The Ambassador's words resonated with the participants, who saw the recognition of the value of the space that welcomes and strengthens them.

The visit was also an opportunity for dialogue with the local administration about the challenges that still persist and the opportunities to strengthen integrated responses in the municipality. 

 The administrator of Viana said that "so far, 1,324 adolescent girls have been trained, mainly in supporting pregnant adolescents to return to school. They must remain in school. This is a work that we have been doing with Minha Kamba and with the residents' committees."

The number is impressive, but even more significant is the concrete impact on the lives of each of these girls who, supported by the community, find ways to continue studying and building broader horizons.

The a.i Representative of UNICEF Angola, Cristina Brugiolo, reinforced that adolescence is a period that must be protected and valued. 

"Adolescence is not the time for marriage. There is time for marriage and pregnancy. Adolescence is the time to grow, study and develop. This should be the message of all parents," she said, stressing the importance of guiding families and communities towards practices that respect the rights and well-being of adolescent girls.

Throughout the visit, it became clear that initiatives like Minha Kamba only become possible when communities, local leaders, and international partners come together with a common purpose: to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to grow up with safety, dignity, and hope. These safe spaces are essential not only to transmit knowledge, but also to consolidate support networks that help prevent situations of violence, reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen the resilience of those who face profound challenges in their journey.

The closing of the visit took place at INAC, where the Ambassador and UNICEF talked about new possibilities for cooperation to strengthen education, protection and promotion of children's rights in Angola. The exchange of perspectives made it clear that the commitment is continuous and that there is still a long way to go, but also many opportunities to multiply initiatives that are already showing tangible results.

UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to continue working side by side with the Government of Angola, thanks to funding from the Finnish Committee for UNICEF, so that all children and adolescents can grow up with dignity, security, and equal opportunities. Ensuring that no one is left behind and that each child can reach their full potential.