Girls First Summit 2024 Debuts in Uganda and Shines in Nairobi

By Florence Sidi, Programs Coordinator

After months of meticulous preparation, the 8th iteration of the Girls First Summit in Nairobi and the first-ever Summit in Uganda finally arrived! Girls First Summit, hosted by She’s the First,  brings together courageous women who work with underserved girls to strengthen their programs, learn practical ways to build girls' power in their communities, and network.

Changing girls’ environments starts with investing in the women who run programs for underserved girls—because of their influence and lived experiences in local communities. We’re addressing the scarcity of affordable, high-quality professional development training by offering free, customized certification programs for women-led, girl-focused organizations in the Global South via our Girls First Institute. The Girls First Summit is the Institute’s signature annual event—this year, we expanded the Summit beyond Kenya into Uganda to train the mentors of even more girls!

The excitement was palpable as She’s the First’s team worked tirelessly to bring this year's summits to life. Over 100 enthusiastic practitioners and 40 girls eagerly entered the conference halls, ready to engage in inspiring and impactful events presented at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi and the Hotel Africana in Kampala.

“These summits were more than just events; they were catalysts for change, reminding us that empowering and listening to girls paves the way for a brighter, and more inclusive future.”

Key Moments from Nairobi

The Critical Role of Girls' Voices

Girl Hour Panelists from The Hijabi Mentorship Program, GirlKind Kenya, Kuza Dada Camps, She Deserves to Soar, and Youth Empowerment Through Unity CBO speak at the Nairobi Girls First Summit. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa for She's the First)

Community-based organizations (CBOs) play an important role in addressing the unique challenges faced by girls. Including girls' voices in decision-making processes ensures that the programs designed to support them are relevant and effective. Hearing from girls at the beginning of each summit emphasizes the necessity of their perspectives in creating sustainable solutions. 

The Nairobi summit commenced with the Girl Hour session, a powerful platform where girls share their stories and insights. Moderated by Sukeji Modi, a member of both She's the First’s Girls Advisory Council and Board, and a dedicated advocate for girls, this session emphasized the significance of involving girls in discussions about their futures. Their voices resonated throughout the day's sessions, serving as a powerful reminder that true change begins with listening to those we aim to empower: Girls!

The panelists identified challenges in managing menstrual health, discussed what mentors can do to create safe, trusting relationships with the girls in their programs, and highlighted the need for safe spaces where girls feel secure and supported.

Girl Hour Panelists: Zipporah of Kuza Dada Camps, Shantel of Youth Empowerment Through Unity CBO, Tina of Kuza Dada Camps, Peace of She Deserves to Soar, and Munira of GirlKind Kenya with moderator Sukeji Modi. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa for She's the First)

“Changing girls’ environments starts with investing in the women who run programs for underserved girls—because of their influence and lived experiences in local communities. ”

Practitioners then participated in a series of sessions led by members of the She’s the First team. Ceci Arriaza, the Senior Programs Manager, led a session on Funding for Girls Programs, where participants gained insights into the grant writing process, proposal development, and effective narrative framing. Kate Kiama, the Director of Programs and Impact, facilitated a session on Girl-Centered Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, emphasizing the importance of involving girls in program design and evaluation to create impactful interventions. Ceci also led a session on Creating Safe Spaces for Girls: SRHR Programming, exploring strategies to build safe spaces and promote feminist mentorship. All of this training works together to teach women leaders effective ways to increase girls’ power and voice within their organizations so they can create more effective programming for them. Together, we can build a world where every girl chooses her own future. 

Women leaders collaborate during the Creating Safe Spaces for Sexual and reproductive health and rights during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Senior Programs Manager Ceci Arriaza chats with women leaders during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

The Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)(Instagram credit: @lafrohemien)

Director of Programs & Impact Kate Kiama during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girl Hour during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girl Hour during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

The Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

The Girl Hour Panelists during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Group photo at the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Women leaders collaborate during the Creating Safe Spaces for Sexual and reproductive health and rights during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Women leaders collaborate during the Creating Safe Spaces for Sexual and reproductive health and rights during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Women leaders collaborate during the Creating Safe Spaces for Sexual and reproductive health and rights during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Meanwhile, the girls engaged in their own series of full-day sessions and interactive activities, each designed to empower and educate them on crucial topics. Vandana Kumari, the Founder of Rang Kaarwaan India and a She’s the First Girl-Centered Incubator Fellow, led a session on Empowerment through Education, providing comprehensive knowledge about sexual and reproductive health. Joan Chelangat, STF’s Programs Intern, co-facilitated the Strategies for Emotional Well-being session, addressing mental health challenges and support strategies. I moderated the “What Would You Do?” card game, allowing girls to learn from each other, reflect on their responses, and build confidence in their ability to handle real-life scenarios. These sessions collectively aimed to empower the girls, ensuring they left the summit with enhanced knowledge, skills, and a stronger sense of self.

A mentor and a girl dance during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls participate in the Empowerment through education session during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls participate in the Empowerment through Education session during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls participate in the Empowerment through Education session during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls play the "What Would You Do?" card game that sparks conversations about healthy relationships during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Girls participate in the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Waiswa)

Engaging with Funders

While the above sessions took place, we also held a concurrent meeting with funders from the NGO sector. Led by She’s the First Board Member Mary Murigi of Co-Impact and Tammy Tibbetts, She’s the First CEO and Co-Founder, this session brought together representatives from  Echidna Giving, Global Fund for Children, Co-Impact, Vibrant Village Foundation, Freedom Fund, and the Gender and Education Dialogues. The discussions centered around funding priorities and barriers, as well as anti-oppression strategies to work with and for community-based organizations. This dialogue was crucial in aligning the goals of funders and practitioners, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support the empowerment of girls.

Highlights from Uganda

Participants arrive at the first-ever Girls First Summit in Uganda! (Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local for She’s the First)

The excitement in Uganda was evident as our team ventured to bring the Girls First Summit to new territory. At the first-ever Girls First Summit in Kampala, the day commenced with the Girl Hour session, which I had the honor of moderating. The girls took the stage with confidence, sharing their opinions and ideas, and providing invaluable insights for the representatives from community-based organizations in attendance. This session vividly reiterated the critical importance of giving girls a platform to express themselves and ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

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After the tea break, practitioners immersed themselves in sessions on Stronger Mentorship Programs to Build Girls’ Agency and Girl-Centered Approaches to SRHR Programming. These discussions underscored the importance of feminist mentorship and the necessity of incorporating girls' voices into sexual and reproductive health and rights programs. Later in the day, participants delved into the "What Would You Do?" card game, exploring the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationships and addressing potential unconscious biases that could emerge during facilitation. The room buzzed with laughter, camaraderie, and lively interactions as everyone participated in the gameplay. Participants were eager to take home copies of the "What Would You Do?" card game, excited to incorporate it into their programs and foster meaningful discussions with the girls they support.

Facilitator Kate Kiama engages with a participant during Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Girl Hour expert panel moderated by Florence Sidi (Programs Coordinator), in Kampala Uganda, July 2024 where experts address questions submitted by participants before the summit. The session centers girls' voices, strengthens programming, and allows girls to share their insights, suggest solutions, and discuss issues affecting their peers.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)(Instagram credit: @zaharaabdulfoto + @candidlocal)

Girl Hour expert panel moderated by Florence Sidi (Programs Coordinator), in Kampala Uganda, July 2024 where experts address questions submitted by participants before the summit. The session centers girls' voices, strengthens programming, and allows girls to share their insights, suggest solutions, and discuss issues affecting their peers.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Girl Hour panel at Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda July, 11th 2024(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Practitioners participate in a trial run of the “What Would You Do?” card game moderated by Florence Sidi (Programs Coordinator) during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.‘'What Would You Do?” is a play-based toolkit by She’s the First for mentors that includes a card game designed for girls in three age groups. Through play and conversation with peers and a mentor, girls learn about healthy relationships and how to create safe personal boundaries.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Practitioners participate in a trial run of the “What Would You Do?” card game moderated by Florence Sidi (Programs Coordinator) during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.‘'What Would You Do?” is a play-based toolkit by She’s the First for mentors that includes a card game designed for girls in three age groups. Through play and conversation with peers and a mentor, girls learn about healthy relationships and how to create safe personal boundaries.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Participants at the Girls First Summit in Uganda on July 11th, 2024, engage in an icebreaker exercise to get to know each other before the training begins.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Practitioners participate in an exercise to outline qualities of a good mentor during the Girls First Summit in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024. The session led by Ceci Arriaza explored feminist mentorship, emphasizing mentors' role in empowering girls to build agency and highlighting the four principles outlined in the feminist mentorship manual.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Practitioners participate in an exercise to outline qualities of a good mentor during the Girls First Summit in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024. The session led by Ceci Arriaza explored feminist mentorship, emphasizing mentors' role in empowering girls to build agency and highlighting the four principles outlined in the feminist mentorship manual.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Facilitator Kate Kiama conducting a session on centering girls' voices in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programming at the Girls First Summit in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.The training focused on helping organizations integrate girls' voices into effective SRHR programming. Topics included methodologies like focus groups, talking boxes, and peer-to-peer mentoring throughout the program cycle, and introduced the 'What Would You Do' toolkit to assist mentors in navigating sensitive topics.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Participants of the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.40 women led grassroot organizations were represented during the training(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Dance break during the Girls First Summit in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Practitioners participate in a trial run of the “What Would You Do?” card game moderated by Florence Sidi (Programs Coordinator) during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.‘'What Would You Do?” is a play-based toolkit by She’s the First for mentors that includes a card game designed for girls in three age groups. Through play and conversation with peers and a mentor, girls learn about healthy relationships and how to create safe personal boundaries.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Practitioners participate in a trial run of the “What Would You Do?” card game moderated by Florence Sidi (Programs Coordinator) during the Girls First Summit by She’s the First in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.‘'What Would You Do?” is a play-based toolkit by She’s the First for mentors that includes a card game designed for girls in three age groups. Through play and conversation with peers and a mentor, girls learn about healthy relationships and how to create safe personal boundaries.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

She's the First team (L-R) Florence Sidi, Kate Kiama, Ceci Arriaza and Lynda Nakaibale at the Girls First Summit in Kampala, Uganda on July 11th, 2024.(Photo by Zahara Abdul/Candid Local)

Moving Forward

The Girls First Summit 2024 was a resounding success, leaving participants inspired and armed with valuable knowledge and tools. Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the critical role these gatherings play in fostering collaboration, enhancing local leaders’ capacity to address the most pressing needs of girls in their communities, and amplifying girls' voices. Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to advancing this crucial work and supporting community-based organizations in their mission to build a more just and equitable society for all girls. 

These summits were more than just events; they were catalysts for change, reminding us that empowering and listening to girls paves the way for a brighter, and more inclusive future.