As the pandemic continues, we have girls’ backs.
Join us!

Pre-pandemic, 130 million girls worldwide were out of school... And now, it’s predicted that after COVID-19, 11 million more girls will never return, as global poverty is increasing for the first time in 20 years. 

Make no mistake: These are dire circumstances. But this problem is solvable. Over the past two years, community-based girl organizations have responded heroically to girls’ struggles, to protect them when their rights are most at risk.

Girls continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19's societal effects.
As grassroots organizations and girls navigate accelerated school terms, mental health concerns, the digital divide, and rising economic pressures to drop out of school,
there are still challenges ahead.

With your support, She’s the First can continue to provide girls’ organizations
in East and West Africa, South Asia, and Latin America
with crucial funding and training for interventions that are working.

Hear what girls have to say:

In spite of the odds, incredible progress is happening.
We can’t give up on girls.

For lasting impact, please consider joining The Front Row, our monthly giving community! Start as low as $5/month (you can update at any time).

Our girl-centric COVID-19 response efforts focus on:

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Meeting Basic Needs of
Girls & Families:
Families in economic distress are incentivized to keep girls enrolled in school when they receive care kits with food, water, and hygiene supplies, in exchange for her involvement.

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Feminist Mentorship Programs:
Mentors monitor girls’ mental health and identify threats (like abuse or child marriage), so intervention happens before it’s too late.

Sexual and Reproductive
Health Education:
When girls are out of school, they are more likely to become pregnant. Mentors from our grassroots partners teach safe practices when girls are learning in-person and continue their lessons virtually during school closings.

Impact Tracker

In 2021, our COVID-19 response has:

  • Delivered care kits (food, water, and menstrual supplies) to 3,000+ girls and families

  • Ensured mentors could reach 8,232 girls with adapted materials, methods, and
    sexual health and reproductive rights classes

    Additionally, we trained 79 practitioners of grassroots girls’ organizations, who work with more than 33,000 girls, in safeguarding girls' journeys back to school.

    Progress is happening. Let’s keep going.

She’s the First impacts underserved girls globally. And yet, these girls serve their communities in the most extraordinary ways, even during a crisis like the ongoing pandemic—when their own rights are most at stake.

Our COVID-19 Community Heroes demonstrate that girls are able and ready to lead. Nominated by our partner organizations in 2021, they are shining examples of the change you can support through She’s the First.

Local Organizations Play a Crucial Role

In 2020, She’s the First published two reports that explain the pressures girls are under and why our model of teaming up with local organizations is key. We invite you to review these materials, or listen to the podcast below.