I AM MY SISTER’S & BROTHER’S KEEPER - Girls & boys education movement clubs - a Guidebook for schools

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Guidebook for starting and supporting Girls and Boys Education Movement (GEM/BEM) clubs in schools, aimed at learners, educators, parents, community members, business partners, and government officials. It explains what GEM/BEM clubs are, their history in Africa, their goals and expected outcomes, and the benefits of joining or backing a club. It also outlines how clubs work with learners leading activities, and how members empower girls and boys through training, peer education, and collaboration to improve access and completion of studies, especially in Maths, Science and Technology.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Girls and Boys Education Movement: Book 1

What is a Girls/Boys Education Movement Club?

Girls and Boys Education Movement: Book 2

Setting up a GEM/BEM Club at your school

Deciding how to recruit members and run your club

Ideas for the composition of your club

Calling the first meeting

Girls and Boys Education Movement: Book 3

A guide to possible activities for your GEM/BEM club

Annexure A: A Bill of Responsibilities for the Youth of South Africa

Annexure B: Contact Details of the National and Provincial Departments of Education

I AM MY SISTER’S & BROTHER’S KEEPER Girls & boys education movement clubs a Guidebook for schools I AM MY SISTER’S & BROTHER’S KEEPER Girls & boys education movement clubs a Guidebook for schools © South African National Department of Health, 2008 Text and editing: Department of Health and the United Nations Children’s Fund Photography: cover and back page—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; opposite—© UNICEF/Rebecca Hearfield ; 2—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 3—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 5—© UNICEF/Rebecca Hearfield ; 6—© UNICEF/ Athol Rheeder; 7—© UNICEF/Rebecca Hearfield ; 11—© UNICEF/ Rebecca Hearfield ; 13—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 14—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 17—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 20—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 23—© UNICEF/ Mandla Zulu; 25—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 27—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 32—© UNICEF/Rebecca Hearfield ; 33—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 35—© UNICEF/Karin Schermbrucker; 37—© UNICEF/Athol Rheeder; 39—© UNICEF/ Karin Schermbrucker Design and layout: Handmade Communications Contents IntRoDUCtIon 1 IntRoDUCtIon 2 GIRLs AnD BoYs eDUCAtIon MoVeMent: BooK 1 3 What is a Girls/Boys E 􀁤ucation Movement Club? 5 The history of the GEM/BEM clubs in Africa 6 What 􀁤 o the GEM/BEM clubs aim to achieve? 􀀱􀀱 Benefits of belonging to an􀁤 supporting a GEM/BEM club 14 GIRLs AnD BoYs eDUCAtIon MoVeMent: BooK 2 􀀱5 Setting up a GEM/BEM Club at your school 20 Deci􀁤ing how to recruit members an􀁤 run your club 23 I􀁤eas for the composition of your club 25 Calling the first meeting 32 GIRLs AnD BoYs eDUCAtIon MoVeMent: BooK 3 33 A gui􀁤e to possible activities for your GEM/BEM club 40 AnneXURe A: A BILL of ResponsIBILItIes foR the YoUth of soUth AfRICA 43 AnneXUR e B: ContACt DetAILs foR the nAtIonAL AnD pRoVInCIAL DepARtMents of eDUCAtIon This guidebook is for learners who want to start a Girls and Boys Education Movement (GEM/BEM) club in their schools, educators, parents, business in communities and community members who want to support the GEM/BEM clubs and Government officials who are responsible for supporting the creation of child-friendly schools in their provinces or districts. The guidebook is intended to give you a better understanding of what the GEM/BEM clubs are, where they come from and what they are trying to achieve, as well as the benefits of belonging to and supporting a GEM/BEM club. It also provides guidance on how to start a GEM/BEM club in your school, including ideas about possible activities that a club can engage in. Overall, the guidebook aims to encourage girls and boys to start GEM/BEM clubs in their schools, as well as encouraging educators, parents, community members, business in communities and other partners in government to support the setting up and successful running of the GEM/BEM clubs. The main objective of the Girls and Boys Education Movement clubs is that boys and girls work together to promote girls’ enrolment and successfully completing studies in the Maths, Science and Technology fields, since girls have historically been disadvantaged in these fields. The clubs are also intended to empower girls and boys with reliable information and knowledge, to guide them in discussing and addressing issues that are of concern to them in their schools and communities, and acting together to bring about positive changes in their lives and that of their peers. 􀁤 􀀱 GIRLs AnD BoYs eDUCAtIon MoVeMent: BooK 1 In thIs seCtIon of the GUIDeBooK YoU wILL LeARn ABoUt: ✔ what a Girls/Boys education Movement (GeM/BeM) club is ✔ the history of the GeM/BeM clubs in Africa ✔ what the GeM/BeM clubs aim to achieve, and ✔ Benefits of belonging to and supporting a B eM/GeM club. 2 whAt IsA GIRLs/BoYs eDUCAtIon MoVeMent CLUB? The girls/boys education movement (GEM/BEM) are school-based clubs made up of girls and boys who are committed to the promotion of equal human rights and dignity for all and mutual respect

FAQs

What is a GEM/BEM club and who can join it?

A GEM/BEM club is a school-based club made up of girls and boys committed to promoting equal human rights, dignity, and mutual respect. Learners participate and receive training on topics such as forming a club, peer education, and equal access to education.

Why were GEM/BEM clubs created?

GEM clubs were created because gender inequality often disadvantages girls in accessing quality education and future employment. Boys join as partners to support girls’ empowerment and promote gender equality in education and society.

How are GEM/BEM clubs meant to be run?

The clubs are for learners and by the learners. Girls and boys decide on the management, focus, and activities, while adults and educators only assist and support by providing suggestions, tips, or resources when possible.

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana