How the Super Banat became agents of change in their community in Bongor

"In the neighborhood, they no longer call me by my name; since December my name is Super Banat. Every week, parents ask me to organize outreach activities with their children", Louise, 17, a Super Banat from Bongor.  

The Super Banat are committed girls who have received training from UNICEF on HIV, gender-based violence and reproductive health. 140 young girls from five regions in Chad have then become agents of change in their communities.  

Among these Super Banat, Louise, a student in 9th grade, stood out since her training in November 2022. She conducts weekly talks in her neighborhood, church, and school, raising awareness among young girls.  

Thanks to her educational approach and commitment, Louise has reached many young girls, even those who were initially unreceptive to awareness. She also organized a big birthday party to raise awareness about HIV and hand out condoms. As a result, two of her classmates were diagnosed and are now treated at the youth center CLAC. Louise always has her Super Banat T-shirt at hand.  

'' Today my son benefits from care and can live like every young person of his age, thanks to these awareness-raising activities he attended at Louise's home. Indeed, by attending such activities, he went to take his HIV test and he tested positive, now he is receiving treatment '' says a parent and neighbor.  

The Super Banat are proud of their commitment and the results obtained so far. Since November 2022, they have conducted more than 150 educational talks in schools, churches and different neighborhoods and villages. However, they are aware of the challenges their peers are facing, especially in terms of resources such as reusable sanitary napkins, needed to improve girls’ hygiene. 

The Super Banat hope to receive additional training very soon on gender-based violence, to raise awareness about the increasing number of cases they are notified about in Bongor since the girls have been speaking out. They strongly believe that their involvement is a key element in bringing about long-lasting positive change in their community.  

Whether in the villages of Moudassi, Bariam, or Bongor Sieke, the Super Banat are a notable example of the impact that committed girls can make in their communities. Their awareness-raising work is a valuable contribution to improving the health and well-being of women and girls in their region, and their commitment is a real driver for positive change.  

UNICEF Chad is proud to support them.