USAID/East Africa's article on Girl Guides

Girl Guides Anemia Prevention Badge Project

FANTA and the Regional Center for Quality of Health Care (RCQHC), in partnership with the African Regional Office of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), designed the Girl Guides Anemia Prevention Badge Project, a program to reach adolescent girls in East and Southern Africa with information and activities on anemia prevention and control. Under the program, Girl Guides (ages 7-18) can earn a badge in anemia prevention through educational programs and community involvement in anemia control. FANTA and RCQHC developed an Anemia Prevention Badge Handbook and Workbook for the Girl Guides as well as a training manual for Girl Guide leaders.

Anemia and iron deficiency remain at epidemic levels among women and children in many nations. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with 22% of maternal deaths and 24% of perinatal deaths, according to a recent meta-analysis. Correcting anemia of any severity reduces the risk of death, the analysis also showed. These estimates of the maternal and perinatal deaths associated with IDA underscore the importance of implementing a package of interventions, such as the Girl Guides badge project, to address the multiple causes of anemia.

Both the English and French versions are available for download here. Due to file size, the English version of the Guiders' Training Manual is also available for download by section.