She’s the First, a global leader in girls’ education and empowerment, hosted its 8th Annual Girls First Summit in Kenya today. This key event coincides with the launch of the groundbreaking Girls First Institute, designed to equip women leaders with the tools to transform communities and uplift girls.
Founded nearly 15 years ago in New York City, She’s the First now operates its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization serves communities across East Africa, West Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, dedicated to a world where every girl can choose her future.
The Girls First Summit provides a free, one-day professional development experience for women spearheading girl-centered programs. This year, 80 women leaders and 40 girls from 40 Kenyan grassroots organizations will participate in practical training on girl-centered program design and sexual and reproductive health and rights education.
“She’s the First is thrilled to host its 8th Annual Girls First Summit in Kenya and launch the innovative Girls First Institute. This pivotal event demonstrates our commitment to empowering women leaders who are at the forefront of transforming communities and uplifting girls,” said Kate Kiama, Director of Programs and Impact at She’s the First. “By equipping women with essential skills and certifications, we are building their capacity and ensuring a brighter future for girls worldwide.”
Building on this success, She’s the First will host its inaugural Girls First Summit in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2024, with support from the Dioraphte Foundation. This expansion aims to localize training, reducing travel burdens for Ugandan participants. Notably, 85% of leaders report implementing impactful program changes within three months of attending the summit, strengthening girls’ decision-making power and influence.
She’s the First also formally launches the Girls First Institute, offering two certification levels, “Essential” and “Advanced,” to empower organizations and attract new funding opportunities. The Institute provides vital skills in girl-centered program design, feminist mentorship, and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming, addressing the lack of affordable, high-quality training for women-led, girl-focused organizations in the Global South.
The summit features prominent funders in the gender equality ecosystem, including CIFF, Co-Impact, Imago Dei, Vibrant Village Foundation, and Global Fund for Children. She’s The First believes that by strengthening the pipeline and increasing inter-organizational collaboration, we can increase the flow of resources to women-led, girl-centered organizations.