Activism Programs, Advocacy, Girl Activist Fellowship, Girl-Led Advocacy, Girls' Programs, Girls' Voices, Impact Stories, Partner Coalition
She's the First
Aliza: Blazing a Trail in Medicine & Poetry

Aliza Puri, an STF Youth Ambassador from Nepal, wrote this poem as a letter to the world from every girl who has been abused, who finds it hard to come forward and ask for justice because she is too scared and embarrassed—until she decides to fight for herself.

Advocacy, Girl Activist Fellowship, Girls' Programs
She's the First
Girls—and Malala!—Demonstrate to Let World ...

On September 21, 2024, in New York City, more than 50 young women from around the world—including the youngest Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai and representatives from four She’s the First programs!—gathered to take United Nations member states to task for failing to prioritize girls and young women in the planning and content of the Summit of the Future.

Girls—and Malala!—Demonstrate to Let World Leaders Know What Girls Want!
Advocacy
She's the First
JOINT STATEMENT: Girl-Centered Organizations ...

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.

Uganda

, , ,

“Girls are Experts in Their Lives”: Annual Girls First Summit Reinforces Call to Listen, Act, and Create With Girls

, , ,

The Girls First Summit (GFS), a one-day annual professional training for She’s the First partners and grassroots leaders, has grown since its inaugural gathering in Nairobi in 2017.  In 2025, we proudly hosted more than 180 practitioners between the 9th edition in Kenya and the 2nd in Uganda. What makes GFS special is how deeply rooted it is in listening to girls.

, ,

Nurturing Mercy's Dream to Become a Doctor

, ,

“I dream of becoming a doctor so that I can save people and be independent.”

At our partner Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda, Mercy’s dreams are nurtured. Her ambitions are resourced, and her curiosity is fed instead of silenced. She is respected, educated, and heard. 

, , ,

Girls First Summit 2024 Debuts in Uganda and Shines in Nairobi

, , ,
Girls First Summit 2024 Debuts in Uganda and Shines in Nairobi

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.

,

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

,

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.”

, ,

Vision and Transformation: A Visit to Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda

, ,

“My key takeaway is legacy and the power of vision!” wrote Training Manager Emma Mogaka of her recent visit to our Ugandan partner Arlington Academy of Hope. Members of our programs team witnessed our partner’s work in action and led customized trainings in girl-centered design for the organization’s staff, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights workshops for the girls.

, ,

Our Biggest Investment: Meet Our 2023-2025 Partner Coalition!

, ,

We’re proud to announce the 15 women-led organizations taking part in our Partner Coalition for the next three years! Through the She's the First Partner Coalition, we provide transformational funding and support to community-based organizations (we call them CBOs) serving girls in the Global South.

Our active cohort consists of 15 CBOs in 10 countries, engaging 9,475 girls across East and West Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Together, we increase girls' agency and leadership through feminist mentorship programs.