Since 2011, Girl Child Network Sierra Leone (GCN-SL) has been dedicated to advancing girls’ rights, protection, and leadership. Its programs include leadership development, life skills, sexual and reproductive health education, vocational training, and community engagement. To date, GCN-SL has reached more than 5,000 girls across Sierra Leone, helping them to stay in school, build confidence, and become advocates for change.
In Sierra Leone, adolescent girls face compounded challenges of poverty, early marriage, gender-based violence, and harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation. Many girls drop out of school due to financial hardship, stigma, or health issues, including inadequate menstrual hygiene management. Cultural norms and misconceptions often reinforce gender inequality, curbing girls’ leadership and decision-making.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, GCN-SL will implement its EMPOWER HER project, a 12-month initiative in which girls in school will learn vocational, digital, and leadership skills, while out-of-school girls will learn vocational skills to foster economic independence. The project emphasizes mentorship, leadership, and menstrual health education to boost confidence and agency. The project also incorporates community engagement to ensure family and societal support, challenging harmful norms and promoting positive attitudes toward girls’ rights.
This project expects to reach 100 girls and an additional 500 community members through outreach, mentorship, and engagement activities to foster supportive environments for girls’ empowerment. The organization ultimately aims to foster a new generation of empowered girls who will lead positive change, advance gender equality, and contribute to sustainable development in their communities.
To learn more about Girl Child Network Sierra Leone, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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