Girls who attend Empowerment Clubs in Ghana, Swaziland and Togo know they have the power to change their lives and the world. In these Clubs, they learn about their rights, their bodies and how education can empower them to change their future. Girls who have experienced violence or abuse and at-risk girls find support in other club members and can openly speak about their experiences and their hopes for the future. Empowerment Clubs are safe spaces where girls find the confidence they need to protect themselves and make lasting changes in their lives.
Why this program
- In Swaziland, 1 in 3 Swazi girls experience sexual abuse by the time they turn 18
- In Togo, 5 out of 10 girls do not finish primary school, compared to 2 out of 10 boys
- 8% of Ghanaian girls get married by the age of 15, and 29% by the age of 18
Impact
- 3,000 girls annually empowered through 71 clubs in Ghana, Togo and Swaziland
- 300 mentors and teachers working in girls’ empowerment clubs
- Boys for Change Clubs have been introduced in Ghanaian and Togolese schools to teach boys positive masculinity and their role in preventing gender-based violence
Testimony
“Today, I am confident. The girls are my family. I don’t feel so shy anymore. We talk in debates and enjoy ourselves. We advise other girls. It is fun … I want to be an independent girl, full of life. I want to live a happy life. I want to be a lawyer, and I know I will. I believe in myself now.” Phiwokuhle Vilakati, Girls’ Empowerment Club member in Swaziland.
