Girls' Education Challenge

A holistic, six-year project specifically designed to strengthen the transition of these girls from primary into either secondary school or alternative, productive livelihood pathways. Our work was focused on the most marginalised girls, so geographically we work in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) and the poorest urban areas in Kenya.   

The programme aimed to reach 500,000 marginalised girls in seven countries by 2024, and equip girls and boys, teachers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to build a more gender-equitable society.  

As well as improving academic, access and training opportunities and outcomes, the Girls’ Education Challenge developed girls’ awareness of their own socio-emotional wellbeing, resilience and sexual and reproductive health – knowledge that helps them remain in education.  

In 2022, girls’ survey responses reflected an increase in self-confidence in their own agency to mitigate barriers to development of their future, rising in six months from 89% (2021) to 93%.