You can’t overstate the importance of girls’ education. It provides the first building blocks for girls to start creating a good life, and to become women who contribute to the prosperity of their families and communities.

But not all girls around the world have access to the conditions that enable them to enroll in school and succeed in their studies, such as having a family that is able to prioritize their education; teachers who struggle to create girl-friendly classrooms; and mentors who show them a fuller picture of what they can become when they grow up.

Strengthening educational ecosystems to better serve girls is a complex task. That’s why at WUSC, we work in partnership with community-based organizations around the world to design, lead, and implement solutions to promote girls’ education and empowerment in a way that’s unique to every context.

How Mentorship Works to Fill the Gap

In refugee camps and contexts, girls face multiple barriers that hinder their access to education. These barriers include social norms that allow boys more influence and active involvement in their communities than girls, learning environments that are not set up to help girls succeed, a lack of women role models, and societal expectations that limit girls’ aspirations and opportunities.

Mentorship plays a powerful role in addressing the gaps where formal education falls short of giving girls what they need to succeed. 

In communities where gender disparities are prevalent, such as in refugee-hosting areas of northern Uganda where there is a scarcity of women teachers, the introduction of mentors gives girls extra opportunities to see women as leaders. These women help to change the narrative, showing girls that they can aspire to — and achieve — great things.

Mentors teach critical life skills that are not found in a traditional school curriculum: skills like communication, assertiveness, and self-esteem. These skills are vital for personal and academic success and have long-lasting effects on girls’ lives. Once girls become confident in these skills, they are often proud to model them for others. When girls and young women see each other using their voice and confidence, they can overcome some of the barriers that held them back from participating more fully in the classroom and in the community.

WUSC Mentorship Models in Uganda

WUSC’s programs for girls’ education in Uganda use an innovative variety of mentorship models adapted for learners experiencing displacement. Each model is designed to address different aspects of the girls’ development: they support girls to navigate the complexities of adolescence, build confidence, and develop the skills necessary to succeed both personally and academically.

Mentorship from Prominent Women in the Community

In northern Uganda, women from local communities, including women who own local businesses, community leaders, and opinion leaders, serve as role models and mentors. These women visit schools to share their stories, answer questions, and provide guidance. This close proximity mentorship helps girls see tangible examples of successful women in their own communities.

E-Mentorship from Student Refugee Program Alumni

Did you ever have a pen pal? Imagine that experience but with the power of today’s technology. The e-mentorship initiative connects girls in Uganda with alumni from our Student Refugee Program in Canada. Using digital platforms, these mentors conduct weekly sessions on various topics, from menstrual health to career aspirations. This modern twist on the pen pal concept not only broadens girls’ perspectives but also creates a global support network.

Peer-to-Peer Mentorship

In some schools, older girls who have participated in life skills sessions have taken the initiative to be mentors for their peers, including some of the boys. They share knowledge, experiences, strategies and solutions, fostering a supportive environment where younger girls can thrive. They have even created a girl-led campaign focused on gender equality. Working with mentors to design the campaign, they came up with messaging to promote gender equality in their community and identify opportunities to share and promote these messages. They chose to use the power of their own voices, receiving support to deliver radio shows, and of music, working together with a local artist to develop and release a music single.

Girls Show New Confidence to Speak Up and Become Leaders

The impact of mentorship is profound, leading to big jumps in girls’ levels of confidence, leadership skills, and sense of agency. For example, one girl shared her new confidence to raise her hand and participate in class discussions — something she had never done before. And another described her success in contesting for the position of Head Girl at her school. Ninety-six percent of girls agreed they felt confident speaking in a group after participating in e-mentoring sessions. This newfound self-assurance can have a ripple effect, influencing every aspect of girls’ lives far beyond the classroom.

Calling WUSC Supporters to Ignite the Potential of Girls Worldwide!

As we approach the International Day of the Girl on October 11, we invite you to join us in supporting girls to reach their fullest potential. Your contributions can help us expand our reach, support more girls, and create lasting change. With your help, we can empower the next generation of leaders, advocates, and change-makers.Will you join us in celebrating the power of mentorship and the incredible potential of every girl? Please consider making a contribution to our girls’ education programs here, and look out on October 11 for some inspiring stories from the classroom and beyond.