Project Location-Kenya
Project Name: She Leads
The She Leads program by Plan International, in partnership with Defence for Children–ECPAT, FEMNET, and Terre des Hommes Netherlands, is a five-year initiative (2021–2025) funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It aims to empower girls and young women (GYW) aged 15–24 to take leadership roles, influence decision-making, and transform gender norms in East Africa (Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya), West Africa (Ghana, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia), and the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan). The program also engages in global advocacy at platforms like the UN.
- Increase GYW Influence: Enhance sustained influence of girls and young women in decision-making at community, national, and global levels.
- Transform Gender Norms: Promote positive socio-cultural norms to support gender equality and challenge discriminatory practices.
- Strengthen Civil Society: Support girl-led groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) to advocate for GYW rights and leadership.
The program operates across three domains:
Civil Society:
Strengthens girl-led groups and CSOs through advocacy training, mentoring, and funding.
Builds alliances between youth-led and women-led organizations to amplify advocacy efforts.
Socio-Cultural:
Engages communities, men, boys, and traditional leaders to promote gender-equitable norms.
Addresses harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Institutional:
Advocates for GYW inclusion in decision-making spaces, such as local governance and policy forums.
Works to influence laws and policies to protect and empower GYW.
- Inclusivity: Prioritizes marginalized GYW, including those with disabilities, through measures like sign language interpreters and accessible training.
- Advocacy Training: Equips GYW with skills in leadership, public speaking, and policy advocacy.
- Regional and Global Reach: Combines local action with global advocacy, targeting platforms like the UN and African Union.
- Monitoring and Learning: Uses tools like Outcome Harvesting to track changes in GYW influence and gender norms.
- Global Advocacy: The program supports GYW to engage in international forums, amplifying their voices on gender equality.
The Program aims to empower girls and young women (GYW) aged 15–24 to take leadership roles, influence decision-making, and transform gender norms
