Adolescence is a critical period when a girl’s potential and future opportunities can flourish through education, skills training and social support. Alternatively, that potential can be stunted and stifled by the irreversible effects of child marriage, early pregnancy, HIV and other preventable hardships. Fulfilling the right of girls to health, education and protection from violence and abuse, ensures they have a chance to achieve their potential and can become empowered women who can support their families, communities and countries.
Zambia rates amongst the worst 30 countries for gender inequality. In Zambia, it is considered the woman’s role to only ever be a wife and a mother. One in ten Zambian women is married before the age of 15 with high ambitions left only for the boys. But attitudes are changing and through our Girl Impact initiative, we are teaching girls to aim high!
In partnership with the African Impact Foundation, African Impact launched The Girl Impact initiative in three locations across Africa; Livingstone in Zambia, Cape Town in South Africa, and Moshi in Tanzania. After extensive grassroots assessments within the communities to understand the individual needs and challenges facing girls and boys, The Girl Impact identified six pillars that form the basis of all volunteer work across the continent.
