GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS: PROGRAMME UPDATE

For generations, girls in remote communities of Nepal and Cambodia have faced major barriers to education due to cultural norms, poverty, and limited resources.

As a result, many are vulnerable to early marriage, domestic labour, and economic hardship. The statistics are stark: globally, 129 million girls are out of school, with 12 million married before 18 each year (UNICEF, 2023). In Nepal, 40% of girls marry before adulthood (Human Rights Watch, 2023), while rural female literacy in Cambodia lags far behind urban rates (UNESCO, 2023). These statistics are more than just numbers—they represent lost potential, stolen childhoods, and generations of women held back from economic independence.

Thanks to the Girls Will Be Girls project, delivered in partnership with the UK Government, this cycle is being broken in Nepal and Cambodia.  This project, which began in April 2023, builds on the momentum of our 2022 Girls Will Be Girls appeal, which was backed by the UK government as part of the UK Aid Match initiative. As we approach the two-year mark, we want to share the incredible impact we’re witnessing.

Through mentorship, community engagement, and safe learning spaces, the program has empowered 11,793 students and is on track to reach 12,280 students by the end of the project. But beyond the numbers, the heart of this initiative lies in the stories of the people making an impact every day—parents, students, educators, and local leaders who are shaping a new reality for girls in their communities.

Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening and hear the voices of the individuals making a real difference.

Creating Gender-Responsive Schools

A truly inclusive school is one where every child feels supported, safe, and empowered to pursue their aspirations. Through teacher training, gender-responsive lesson planning, and safe school environments, we are fostering learning spaces where girls can thrive. 

Khun Rem, Education Officer at UWS Cambodia team, mentions: 

“Beyond the classroom, we’ve launched initiatives to safeguard the well-being of both students and staff. From monthly data collection and water quality assessments to organising Girls’ Clubs, Mothers’ Groups, and discussion forums for boys and girls, we are building a school culture that prioritises gender equality and inclusivity at every level.”

For Jayanti Rai, School Mobiliser at UWS Nepal this mission is deeply personal.

“Training teachers in gender-responsive teaching methodologies, combined with classroom observation and constructive feedback, has significantly improved how boys and girls are treated equally. Equal participation in classroom activities, guided by trained teachers, has fostered a culture of inclusivity that I never experienced during my own school days.”

Mobilising Gender-Responsive Communities

Research shows that a child with a literate mother is 50% more likely to live past the age of five. At UWS, we recognise that education begins at home, and community involvement is essential in breaking the barriers that hold girls back.

As part of this project, community workshops, mothers’ meetings, and school support committees, are increasing local support for girls’ education. Additionally, Girls’ Clubs serve as safe spaces where girls build confidence, decision-making skills, and knowledge of their bodies and rights.

In UWS Rambeni, the Mothers’ Group, led by Sumitra Dungana, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that girls stay in school.

“The One Day, One Parent program has given parents a reason to step into their children’s world of learning. Through this, we have built stronger school-community ties, and harmful superstitions that once kept girls out of school are fading.”

For students like Bina, an eighth-grade student and Chairperson of the Girls’ Club at UWS Khamare, the impact is life-changing.

“It’s not just a group—it’s a platform where we discuss our challenges, from child marriage to gender discrimination, and find solutions together. We’ve learned life skills, engaged in advocacy, and grown more confident in voicing our rights.” 

Rita from UWS Madamsingh shares how peer support makes a difference.

“Girls’ Club has been instrumental in helping us build self-confidence and express ourselves openly and effectively in front of others, fostering both personal growth and a sense of collective responsibility. We use interactive games and discussions to ensure every girl stays motivated to attend school. Seeing our friends push past societal expectations to prioritise their education is inspiring.”

Strengthening Gender-Responsive Education Systems

Ensuring girls’ presence, participation, and achievement in school requires systemic transformation. Our work engages government officials and education sector stakeholders to improve gender-responsive teaching practices and school environments. This means advocating for inclusive policies, raising awareness of harmful gender norms, and fostering support for girls’ education at a national level.

At the municipal level, leaders have also witnessed this shift.

“After the introduction of UWS’s educational programs, there has been an increase in the sense of responsibility and leadership skills among girls. Additionally, an environment of equal participation in schools has been established within the community. The success of this initiative can be evident in the students studying under UWS programs and the community itself. In the areas where UWS programs have been implemented, student discipline, participation, and community engagement are praiseworthy. As a result, schools, the community, and the local government are pleased. Ganga Shrestha, Vice Mayor, Musikot Municipality, Nepal

Through Girls Will Be Girls, we are proving that education is more than just learning—it is a tool for empowerment. By strengthening education systems, mobilising communities, and transforming schools, we are breaking cycles of inequality and paving the way for a generation of girls who can dream bigger, reach higher, and shape their own futures.

Because when a girl is given the chance to learn, she doesn’t just change her own life—she changes the world.