“I collaborate with institutions that empower women through education, focusing on cultivating self-dependency and freeing women from financial reliance on others. I have arranged workshops and training sessions including social innovation boot camps, social ventures, entrepreneurship classes and innovation challenges for women, and have helped women participants to develop business plans and build high-fidelity prototypes for their business proposals.”

“I am part of the CAMFED alumni association and we work with communities and schools on issues of girls’ education and young women’s empowerment. We provide school fees and materials through personal contributions to vulnerable girls, especially those at the verge of dropping out of school as well as those that have dropped out and are part of communities we have campaigned in to bring them back to school. Back-to-school campaigns usually involve home visits and community engagement initiatives.
We also provide psychosocial support in the form of role modeling, guidance, counseling and sessions on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for girls within our communities. We connect young women in business and those in need of tertiary education support for different opportunities to promote their career aspirations. As young women who have benefitted from CAMFED scholarships when we were young girls, this is our way of giving back and letting people experience the importance of girls’ education.”

“I am a medical student and human rights activist with a passion for writing. I try to incorporate the importance of women’s rights into everything I do and highlight challenges regarding women and young girls. As part of my medical education, I am passionate about combating racism and the importance of intersectionality in medicine. I am dedicated to providing a platform for vulnerable groups within the healthcare system. I also raise awareness on issues regarding women and young girls, such as female genital mutilation and inequality, through online discussions, social media campaigns and exchanging ideas with other youth organizations.”

“I grew up in a rural area where poverty is the major challenge that contributes to girls not accessing school. Parents prefer to send boys to school than girls in such a situation where resources are limited. The lack of role models, long distances to get to school and a lack of boarding facilities were some of the challenges I experienced. I was at the verge of dropping out of school due to a lack of school necessities when I was granted a scholarship by CAMFED which supported my secondary and tertiary education. This is what motivates me to support girls and young women who are experiencing the same situation I did.”

“Growing up between two worlds - one being in Pakistan and one in Germany - I realized that there were big differences between these countries, but the one I experienced the most was regarding gender. In Pakistan, both boys and girls were encouraged to gain a good education and do their best, but later on it was clear that education was seen as something that holds a bigger importance for boys than for girls. While boys continued their education, girls were expected to perform household tasks and not encouraged as much as boys to continue their studies, but rather married off.”

“Growing up in Somaliland, I observed the profound impact of civil war, poverty and cultural norms on access to education, especially for girls. Limited resources often led parents to prioritize boys' schooling, perpetuating gender disparities. Girls faced daunting obstacles: being denied education, coerced into early marriage and subjected to gender-based violence. These experiences underscored the urgent need to invest in girls' education. It became clear to me that empowering girls through education not only transforms their lives but also uplifts entire communities. When girls are educated, they become agents of change, breaking the cycle of poverty and contributing to the social and economic development of their societies.”

“The German education system needs to ensure that girls who are the most vulnerable are supported just as much as their peers. These circumstances tied to one’s background, whether native language or gender, should not stand in the way of everyone being able to get a quality education. The same chances should be provided to vulnerable groups as those who do not have to deal with certain circumstances. Furthermore, girls need to learn about their own body, health and rights continuously and so society and institutions should not make topics such as menstruation, sex and even “uncomfortable” ones like female genital mutilation a taboo.”

“In Somaliland, specific investments are crucial for enhancing girls' education across various fronts. Firstly, targeted efforts must focus on improving access to education which includes constructing schools in rural areas, ensuring safe transportation and addressing cultural barriers hindering girls' school attendance. Secondly, investing in qualified teachers and tailored educational resources is vital for fostering supportive learning environments.
Additionally, implementing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education programs empowers girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Lastly, scholarships and financial aid programs are essential for overcoming economic barriers to higher education. Prioritizing these investments is pivotal to fostering an inclusive education system that empowers girls to realize their full potential.”

“In the context of Malawi, girls in school need to be supported with more relatable female mentorship programs, boarding facilities for girls and additional school facilities to address the problem of needing to travel long distances to get to school.
School materials should be provided especially to the most vulnerable girls coming from poor backgrounds and those that have returned to school through back-to-school campaigns and re-admission policies.
In addition, sustainable economic empowerment initiatives for girls’ parents and guardians are key to girls’ education should be strengthened in Malawi. Economic empowerment initiatives promote change in parents’ mindsets and how they provide educational support to their children which would have a meaningful impact on girls’ access to education.”

“I urge world leaders to prioritize investment in girls' education and gender equality as a cornerstone of sustainable development and global progress. Empowering girls through education not only unlocks their individual potential but also catalyzes positive effects throughout societies and economies. When girls receive quality education and are afforded equal opportunities, they become agents of change, breaking cycles of poverty, improving health outcomes and driving economic growth.
Investing in gender equality promotes social justice and fosters inclusive societies where every individual can thrive and contribute meaningfully. By prioritizing girls' education and gender equality, world leaders can pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come.”

“To the world leaders, Girls and Women count, so make sure you count them too in all programs, especially in education. When girls receive better education, they can thrive and change the world. When you educate a girl child, everything changes in her life–the life of her family, her community and her nation at large, so invest in girls’ education.”

“To the world leaders taking their time to read this - Thank you, this is a first step. Raise your voice for girls and women worldwide because not only is it their right to have the same chances and opportunities as everyone, but it’ll be the most sustainable decision you will ever make. Women and Young girls who are given the same opportunity as their peers are unstoppable.”