Girl Effect

We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected as a recipient of the Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge to accelerate youth employability. This grant support will boost our efforts to enhance youth  economic empowerment in Kenya. Through the Tuki-Jituma Initiative, we’re equipping young people in Nairobi and Migori with the skills and support they need to thrive in the creative and digital economy. With this grant, we’ll expand access to certification courses, mentorship, apprenticeships, and access to job opportunities - especially for  girls and women facing unemployment and underemployment. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eTWqxANY . #InnovationChallenge

We’re incredibly proud to share that Tukisonga (https://lnkd.in/di3F9-cE) , our Kenyan youth brand, has been named a Finalist in the 5th Annual Anthem Awards under the Education, Art & Culture – Awareness category! 🏆 This recognition from the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences is a powerful testament to the impact of youth-led storytelling and the vibrant energy behind Tuki? (https://lnkd.in/d6QZ2wv4), our flagship show that’s been sparking conversations, shifting narratives, and celebrating youth voices across Kenya. To everyone across Kenya and beyond who tuned in to Tuki?, joined the conversations, showed up at events, and stood with our team - thank you. Your unwavering support is what brought Tukisonga to life and propelled it to this incredible milestone. Now, we have a chance to win the #AnthemCommunityVoiceAward, and it’s entirely up to the public. If you believe in the power of youth, culture, and community-driven change, we’d love your vote. 🗳️ Vote for Tukisonga here: https://lnkd.in/ejSQ7wZ5 🗓️ Voting closes October 30 Let’s bring this win home - together. That’s the #Tukisonga spirit.❣️ The Anthem Awards

The Yale School of Public Health is redefining public health education - bringing real world dilemmas into the classroom. In the new course 'The Future of Health', taught by Senior Fellow Kaakpema "KP" Yelpaala, students tackle live case studies like Girl Effect’s Big Sis chatbot (https://bigsis.co.za/), reaching girls and young people with vital sexual and reproductive health and mental health information. The challenge? How to scale and sustain innovation in a fast-moving AI landscape - balancing evidence, funding, and mission. The full Girl Effect case study - authored by Kaakpema "KP" Yelpaala and Tiff Jiang, MPP '25 Jackson School of Global Affairs - provides a deep dive into Girl Effect's two-decade evolution from print magazines in Rwanda to AI-powered chatbots serving millions. It explores how we navigated language barriers (mixing Hindi, English, and slang in India), integrated human-in-the-loop support in Kenya, and evolved from rules-based systems to generative AI. The results are striking: users are 203% more likely to ask questions and 12.68% more likely to express intention to access health services. But the challenge remains: How to scale and sustain innovation in a fast-moving AI landscape - balancing evidence, funding, and mission. Students don’t just debate - they engage directly with decision makers who live it. This is experiential learning at its best. Kudos to YSPH for preparing the next generation of health leaders. 📖: Learn more: Course: https://lnkd.in/dhhYVmqK Case study: https://lnkd.in/dgBUsus5 #PublicHealth #AI #HealthInnovation #DigitalHealth

🌟 This weekend, we wrap up our celebration of seven brilliant young women who are leading change with courage, compassion, and conviction. Meet Zimi - the seventh youth leader nominated by her peers for her commitment to healing and growth. Zimi’s journey began in Khayelitsha,South Africa, where she witnessed the silent struggles around mental health. She saw how stigma and trauma held people back - and imagined a different future. “If we had better coping tools,” she thought, “we could live differently.” That moment sparked her mission: to build emotional resilience and awareness in her community. Her turning point came when she joined Waves for Change as a junior coach. Through Surf Therapy, she saw how small acts of care could lead to deep healing. Zimi discovered that leadership doesn’t have to be loud - it can be consistent, compassionate, and quietly transformative. “I’m driven by community, compassion, and growth,” Zimi says. “Connection is what makes me feel most alive.” Together, these seven young women remind us: leadership begins with empathy, grows through action, and thrives when we create space for others to rise. Their stories prove that lasting change doesn’t require a title - just heart, courage, and the will to show up. Let’s keep amplifying the voices of those who lead with purpose. #TheGirlIAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025 

This weekend, we’re spotlighting young women who are leading with purpose - and Sophie is one of them. Nominated by her peers, she’s turning empathy into action and transforming her community from the inside out. Sophie’s journey began at home, just after finishing high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. She joined a youth-led menstrual hygiene campaign - and what she saw changed everything. In village after village, she met girls from low-income backgrounds who lacked access to sanitary towels and basic menstrual health information. The pandemic only deepened the gap. Instead of walking away, Sophie leaned in. She made it her mission to reach more girls with dignity kits and vital education on menstrual hygiene and sexual reproductive health. Her work became a lifeline - and her community took notice. “I always ask myself how my decisions will affect me and those around me,” Sophie says. “Knowing my community appreciates what I do energizes me - it’s part of becoming the best version of myself.” ✨ Who’s inspired you to lead with heart? Tag a girl, woman, sister, friend, or colleague who’s shaped your journey - and celebrate her impact. Let’s keep amplifying the voices of those who rise with courage, compassion, and conviction. #TheGirlIAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025

🌍 This weekend, we celebrate seven extraordinary young women who aren’t waiting for permission to lead - they’re already doing it. Nominated by their peers, these changemakers are turning lived experience into collective empowerment. Scholastica’s story begins in Masasi District Council, where her commitment to uplifting girls sparked a movement. As a member of our Youth Advisory Panel and a passionate advocate through Girl Effect Tanzania’s Mwanzo Mwema program, she’s redefined what it means to lead with heart. 📣 During health outreaches, Scholastica noticed a critical gap: many rural mothers couldn’t read the interpersonal communication materials she distributed. Instead of letting that barrier stand, she took action - reading the materials aloud and translating complex health information into accessible, life-saving knowledge. Her voice became a lifeline, helping caregivers understand vaccine schedules and the importance of immunization. Scholastica didn’t just share information - she built trust, sparked understanding, and changed lives. ✨ Who has inspired you to rise, lead, and believe in your voice? Tag a girl, woman, sister, friend, or colleague who’s shaped your journey - and celebrate her impact. Let’s keep amplifying the voices of those who lead with boldness, empathy, and unwavering purpose. #TheGirlIAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025

“I lead by doing - because real change begins when we show up, stand up, and speak with those whose voices are too often unheard.” - Evelyn Sasi, Kenya This weekend, we honor seven extraordinary young women who are not waiting for permission to lead - they’re already doing it. Nominated by their peers, these trailblazers are transforming personal experiences into collective empowerment. They’re not just raising awareness - they’re building solutions. They’re not just speaking out - they’re lifting others up. They’re not just imagining change - they are the change. ✨ Who has inspired you to rise, to lead, to believe in your voice? Tag a girl, woman, sister, friend, or colleague who’s shaped your journey - and celebrate the power of her impact. Let’s keep amplifying the voices of those who lead with boldness, empathy, and unwavering purpose. #TheGirlIAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025

“I am a woman who turned challenges into fuel, building solutions that show my community - especially young people and women - that change is possible and within our reach.” — Fana Haregot, Ethiopia This weekend, we celebrate seven powerful young women who are redefining leadership in their communities. Nominated by their peers, these changemakers are turning lived experience into action - and action into impact. They’re not just raising awareness. They’re designing solutions, mobilizing voices, and proving that transformation starts from within. 💫 Who’s inspired you to rise above challenges and lead with purpose? Tag a girl, woman, sister, friend, or colleague whose story has shaped your own - and share how they’ve made a difference. Let’s elevate the voices of those who lead with courage, compassion, and conviction. #TheGirlIAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025

“People don’t expect a girl like me to talk openly about topics like periods, contraception, and safe sex. In my community, these are often seen as taboos. But I confidently participate in such discussions and positively influence people’s thinking.” — Pooja This weekend, we recognize seven extraordinary young women - nominated by their peers across our countries - who are breaking barriers and leading bold conversations in their communities. They’re not just challenging norms. They’re shifting mindsets, building movements, and creating space for others to speak up and be heard. 💫 Now it’s your turn: Who’s the changemaker who’s inspired you to think differently, lead bravely, or act with purpose? Tag a girl, woman, mother, sister, friend, or colleague whose journey has left a mark - and share what you’ve learned from them. Let’s amplify the voices of those driving change, one courageous conversation at a time. #TheGirlIAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025 

“ I lead by serving. For me, leadership is about service - serving in a way that allows people to do the right thing without feeling forced. I used to create spaces for people to project their voices, and often their voices guided me as well. That is still how I lead: by serving.” - Sheng, Nigeria This International Day of the Girl 2025, we’re celebrating 7 extraordinary young leaders who were handpicked by their peers across our countries of operation. These girls prove that when communities need transformation, young women don't just participate - they drive the change. Nominated by those who know their impact best, these changemakers represent the power of peer recognition and authentic leadership. Meet the girls driving change in their communities. 💫 Your turn to celebrate: Who's the changemaker in YOUR life? Tag a girl, woman, mother, sister, friend, or colleague who inspires you. Share a few words about what you've learned from their journey. Let's celebrate changemakers everywhere! #TheGirlAm #TheChangeILead #IDG2025