Fundraising Campaigns, Board of Directors
She's the First
Tara Abrahams on Paving the Way for Our ...

"What kind of mother do I want to be? What kind of world do I want to help build for the next generation?" When our board chair, Tara Abrahams, learned she was pregnant with her first daughter, she reflected on the world she would raise her in.

"The idea that my child wouldn't have access to the same opportunities—depending on gender identity—just stuck in my gut and wouldn't let go. I've spent the past 15 years creating and supporting movements that advance girls' education, women's empowerment, and gender equality around the world."

Tara is an advocate for girls and women globally, a mom, a storyteller, and a life-long learner. Becoming a mother was the catalyst for her dedication to gender equality; read on for her thoughts on how we all can pave the road a bit smoother for the girls journeying after us.

Tara Abrahams on Paving the Way for Our Daughters
Partner Coalition, Girls First Institute
She's the First
A Partner Closing the Distance for Girls’ ...

The Small World is a not-for-profit charitable organization supporting locally-driven, sustainable community development projects. These projects provide not only education for children —especially young girls at risk from exploitation—but also remove traditional barriers to girls' education, create empowerment scenarios for local communities, and ultimately help to end deep-rooted cycles of poverty.

A Partner Closing the Distance for Girls’ Education
Girls Advisory Council, Girls First Institute, Partner Coalition
She's the First
"To every Muslim woman; You are powerful": Meet ...

“I do the work because I grew up around a lot of suffering and injustice, and as the first girl child of my family, I want to show the rest of my community what is possible through education.” Wuday Jaiteh is a 22-year-old law student at the University of The Gambia, and a graduate of and mentor for our partner Starfish International. Get to know this powerhouse young woman through our Q&A!

Activism Programs, Advocacy, Girl Activist Fellowship, Girl-Led Advocacy
She's the First
5 Lessons for Girl-Led Activism

We kicked off the first day of the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women with our first-ever side event: "Girl-Led Activism: How to Get it Right," based on the learnings of our Girl Activist Fellowship. How do we make sure we’re doing work that is TRULY girl-led and doing it well?

5 Lessons for Girl-Led Activism
Ellas al Frente, Girls First Institute
She's the First
She’s the First, MAIA Host FIRST-Ever ...

Ellas al Frente, a joint venture by She's the First and MAIA, hosted a transformative conference aimed at equipping grassroots leaders and girls with essential skills to champion girl-centered programs in the Northern Triangle region—the region's first girl-focused summit.

She’s the First, MAIA Host FIRST-Ever Girl-Focused Conference in the Northern Triangle
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Tara Abrahams on Paving the Way for Our Daughters

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Tara Abrahams on Paving the Way for Our Daughters

"What kind of mother do I want to be? What kind of world do I want to help build for the next generation?" When our board chair, Tara Abrahams, learned she was pregnant with her first daughter, she reflected on the world she would raise her in.

"The idea that my child wouldn't have access to the same opportunities—depending on gender identity—just stuck in my gut and wouldn't let go. I've spent the past 15 years creating and supporting movements that advance girls' education, women's empowerment, and gender equality around the world."

Tara is an advocate for girls and women globally, a mom, a storyteller, and a life-long learner. Becoming a mother was the catalyst for her dedication to gender equality; read on for her thoughts on how we all can pave the road a bit smoother for the girls journeying after us.

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A Partner Closing the Distance for Girls’ Education

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A Partner Closing the Distance for Girls’ Education

The Small World is a not-for-profit charitable organization supporting locally-driven, sustainable community development projects. These projects provide not only education for children —especially young girls at risk from exploitation—but also remove traditional barriers to girls' education, create empowerment scenarios for local communities, and ultimately help to end deep-rooted cycles of poverty.

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Mercy Nandutu: A Trailblazer for Girls in Nuclear Engineering in Her Community

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Mercy Nandutu is a nuclear engineer earning her second master’s degree—in fact, she’s the first person from her village in Uganda ever to become a nuclear engineer. “If that young girl from my past could witness my journey to becoming a nuclear engineer, she would undoubtedly feel an overwhelming sense of empowerment and possibility,” reflected Mercy. “Seeing my achievements, she would believe that she is capable of overcoming any obstacle and achieving her dreams. She would feel a sense of representation and validation in seeing someone like herself excel in the field.”

FGM Must Remain Illegal in The Gambia - Girl-Centered Organizations Demand Better for Girls

We, the undersigned girl-centered organizations, vehemently oppose the ongoing efforts to repeal the ban against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia. FGM—the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons—is a profoundly harmful practice that violates the rights and dignity of girls. It is a form of violence that often results in long-term physical and psychological consequences.

The Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015 is a crucial legislation, protecting the rights and well-being of girls in The Gambia. Reversing this significant step forward in ensuring girls' safety and health would constitute a grave injustice and a regression in the fight for gender equality and human rights.

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"To every Muslim woman; You are powerful": Meet Alum & Mentor Wuday Jaiteh!

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“I do the work because I grew up around a lot of suffering and injustice, and as the first girl child of my family, I want to show the rest of my community what is possible through education.” Wuday Jaiteh is a 22-year-old law student at the University of The Gambia, and a graduate of and mentor for our partner Starfish International. Get to know this powerhouse young woman through our Q&A!

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Bridging the Distance to Graduation for Girls: She's the First, Never the Last

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Bridging the Distance to Graduation for Girls: She's the First, Never the Last

From a remote Andean village to the graduation stage! Meet Yoselinda, a trailblazer in her family as she becomes the first to earn her high school diploma. In areas where high schools are sparse and resources are scarce, organizations like our Peruvian partner Sacred Valley Project bring solutions. We’re proud to support Yoselinda's journey through education and empowerment!

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When Our Board Member Mary Realized She Could Be More: She's the First, Never the Last

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Inspired by mentors who led the way, our Board Member Mary Murigi had big dreams as a girl. With the support of women who saw her value, today Mary is an accomplished professional, paving the way for the next generation of girl leaders.

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5 Lessons for Girl-Led Activism

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5 Lessons for Girl-Led Activism

We kicked off the first day of the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women with our first-ever side event: "Girl-Led Activism: How to Get it Right," based on the learnings of our Girl Activist Fellowship. How do we make sure we’re doing work that is TRULY girl-led and doing it well?

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She’s the First, MAIA Host FIRST-Ever Girl-Focused Conference in the Northern Triangle

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She’s the First, MAIA Host FIRST-Ever Girl-Focused Conference in the Northern Triangle

Ellas al Frente, a joint venture by She's the First and MAIA, hosted a transformative conference aimed at equipping grassroots leaders and girls with essential skills to champion girl-centered programs in the Northern Triangle region—the region's first girl-focused summit.

She's the First and Kotex Team Up for Girls’ Success!

She's the First and Kotex Team Up for Girls’ Success!

She's the First is proud to announce a transformative partnership with Kotex, a brand committed to breaking down barriers and championing girls’ progress. Kotex's dedication to breaking down period stigmas aligns perfectly with our vision to create a world where every girl can choose her own future. The generous grant from Kotex is a game-changer for She's the First.

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Hot Off the Presses: The Girl Gazette!

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Hot Off the Presses: The Girl Gazette!

Check out the newest issue of The Girl Gazette: Volume 5, Issue 1 for Winter 2024! The Girl Gazette amplifies the voices of girls globally and empowers them through art, poetry, and more. We highlight girls around the globe who are a part of our Partner Coalition organizations.

Increasing Girls’ Access to Power: STF Team Onboards Largest-Ever Girls Advisory Council

She’s the First champions for a world where every girl can choose her own future. For this reason, we team up with grassroots leaders to make sure girls everywhere are educated, respected, and heard. But how do we ensure that this mission truly reflects the voices and needs of girls globally? Enter the Girls Advisory Council (GAC), a dynamic group of girls whose insights inform our programs, campaigns, and policies.

JOINT STATEMENT: Girl-Centered Organizations Condemn Femicide in Kenya

We, the undersigned girl-centered organizations, express our deep concern and condemnation regarding the alarming rise in femicides in Kenya. We stand in solidarity with our fellow women leaders in Kenya who are demanding that the President of Kenya declare femicide and violence against women and girls a national disaster. The government must take swift and decisive measures to protect lives and ensure justice for the victims.

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Elevate the Strengths of Your Community: Learnings from the 2023 Virtual Girls First Summit

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Elevate the Strengths of Your Community: Learnings from the 2023 Virtual Girls First Summit

She’s the First hosted the seventh iteration of the Virtual Girls First Summit in September, two months after the in-person summit in Nairobi. The Girls First Summit is an annual convening of girl-centered organizations for knowledge-sharing and targeted training, with local and global insights on best practices for supporting girls’ rights. The virtual summit brought together 90 practitioners from 11 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, India, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, and Malawi. The participants left with practical tools and unique strategies to increase girls’ agency.

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New Cohort Selected for Girl-Centered Incubator: A Promising Start to a Transformational Journey

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She’s the First is proud to announce the selection of our latest cohort for our Girl-Centered Incubator fellowship program! After an extensive and competitive process, we’ve chosen a group of exceptional young women to embark on a transformational journey for themselves and their organizations.

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Girl Activist Fellows Produce Pop-Up Gallery Shows with the Theme “My Body, My Choice”

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Girl Activist Fellows Produce Pop-Up Gallery Shows with the Theme “My Body, My Choice”

Girl Activist Fellows from Kenya and the U.S. produced pop-up gallery shows with the theme “My Body, My Choice” for International Day of the Girl. Reproduce This! was a bi-continental art gallery experience produced by a team of girls, for girls. The fellows spent the last year in our program learning how to imagine, plan, and execute an activism campaign and these gallery shows were the result.