What we learned from 12 community circles.
Field reflections from TIJCEF's community wellbeing program — listening to women, girls, youth, and elders across local settings.
Over the course of our community engagement work, TIJCEF facilitated 12 community circles across different local settings to better understand lived experiences around health, gender, climate, and community wellbeing.
These circles created safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and shared learning with women, girls, youth, and community members.
Purpose of the Community Circles
The community circles aimed to:
- ●Listen directly to community needs and challenges
- ●Understand barriers to menstrual health and dignity
- ●Explore perceptions around gender equity and empowerment
- ●Learn community views on climate and environmental issues
- ●Strengthen participatory, research-driven programming
Key Insights from the 12 Circles
Menstrual Health & Dignity
- –Many adolescent girls still lack access to affordable menstrual products.
- –Stigma and silence remain major barriers to open discussion.
- –School attendance is affected during menstruation in some communities.
Gender Equity & Empowerment
- –Girls expressed a desire for more confidence-building opportunities.
- –Limited access to mentorship and life-skills training was highlighted.
- –Community norms still influence girls' participation in decision-making.
Climate Action & Environment
- –Communities recognize environmental changes but lack structured knowledge.
- –Waste management practices are limited in many areas.
- –Youth showed strong interest in participating in environmental action.
Community Wellbeing & Systems
- –There is strong trust in community-based interventions.
- –Local leaders play a key role in shaping acceptance of programs.
- –More sustained engagement is needed for long-term impact.
What We Learned
From these 12 community circles, TIJCEF learned that:
- ✓Listening directly to communities improves program relevance.
- ✓Integrated solutions are more effective than single-issue approaches.
- ✓Trust and consistency are critical for impact.
- ✓Youth and women are eager to participate when given safe spaces.
Implications for TIJCEF's Work
These insights continue to shape TIJCEF's approach across:
Conclusion
The 12 community circles reaffirmed TIJCEF's belief that sustainable change begins with listening.
By centering community voices, we continue to design programs that are responsive, inclusive, and impactful.