Section 1: Organizing a girls' program

I have faced so many struggles and challenges – lack of credibility, funding, resources, and assistance. Regardless, as I reflect upon my input into Ophelia’s Voice, I realize that it has been an amazing growth experience, if nothing else.

~ Joanne Cave, 13-year-old founder of Ophelia’s Voice

This section contains information that we think is important in supporting the organization of a girls’ program. We reflect on why we do the work that we do and offer our favourite tips and the learnings we have acquired from starting and running girls’ programs. We know that girls’ programs exist in a variety of diverse contexts, that’s why we recommend that you draw on this information and adapt it to meet your own needs.

In the first part of this section we share the rationale behind doing girls’ programming and an overview of our theory of change.

The second part of this section focuses on the practical elements of organizing a girls’ program. We give tips on what makes a fabulous girls’ program, community building, promotions and communications, legal issues and liability, and of course, logistics.

All of the information in the Manual should be supplemented by resources on our Online Resource Centre, as well as resources found in your community.