Deadline: 29-May-2026
The UNICEF girls’ leadership and empowerment programme is a targeted initiative focused on improving access to education, leadership development, and protection services for adolescent girls and young women. Implemented by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, the programme integrates education, sports, and life skills training to promote gender equality and social inclusion in vulnerable communities.
Purpose and Core Objectives
The programme aims to address structural barriers faced by adolescent girls, including gender inequality, limited access to education, gender-based violence, and exclusion from decision-making. Its core objectives include improving access to safe and inclusive education, strengthening girls’ leadership and life skills, promoting gender equality, and using sport—particularly female football—as a tool for empowerment and participation.
Target Groups
The initiative primarily targets girls and young women aged 10 to 24. This includes out-of-school girls, adolescent mothers, and those from marginalized or disadvantaged communities. The programme is designed to reach those most affected by educational exclusion and social vulnerability.
Geographic Focus Areas
The programme is implemented in selected regions of Cameroon, specifically the Centre and North regions, as well as Kampong Cham in Cambodia. These areas are prioritized due to higher levels of vulnerability, limited educational access, and gender-related challenges affecting adolescent girls.
Key Focus Areas
The programme focuses on girls’ leadership development, life skills training, education support for out-of-school children, protection and empowerment of vulnerable girls, and promotion of gender equality in education. It also includes female football initiatives as a structured platform to enhance participation, teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills.
Expected Outcomes
By 2026, the programme aims to ensure that at least 2,000 girls and young women gain improved access to safe, inclusive education and leadership opportunities. These outcomes will be achieved through a combination of non-formal education, life skills development, and sports-based empowerment activities.
How the Programme Works
The programme delivers interventions through community-based education activities, structured leadership training, life skills workshops, and female football initiatives. It integrates protection mechanisms and inclusive learning approaches to ensure that vulnerable girls can participate safely and meaningfully in all activities.
Key Challenges Addressed
The initiative responds to persistent challenges such as gender-based violence, early school dropout, limited access to education and health services, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. It focuses on removing these barriers through targeted, community-driven interventions.
Common Barriers to Success
Challenges may include limited infrastructure for girls’ safe participation, cultural resistance to girls’ education or sports involvement, and difficulty reaching out-of-school populations. Ensuring consistent protection mechanisms and community engagement is also essential for success.
Success Factors
Strong community involvement, safe learning environments, trained facilitators, and integration of sports and education are key success factors. Collaboration with local stakeholders and sustained protection systems also strengthen programme outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The UNICEF girls’ leadership and empowerment programme by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund focuses on education, protection, and empowerment of adolescent girls.
- The programme targets girls aged 10 to 24, including out-of-school youth and adolescent mothers.
- It operates in Cameroon (Centre and North regions) and Kampong Cham in Cambodia.
- Key areas include leadership, life skills, education access, and protection services.
- Female football is used as a tool for empowerment and participation.
- The programme aims to reach at least 2,000 girls by 2026.
- It promotes safe, inclusive, and gender-equal learning environments.
Conclusion
The UNICEF girls’ leadership and empowerment programme strengthens opportunities for adolescent girls through education, leadership, protection, and sport-based empowerment. By addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusion, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund supports long-term gender equality and improved life outcomes for vulnerable girls in Cameroon and Cambodia.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.