Unlocking a better future

By 2030, more than half of all young people won’t have the basic skills needed to succeed in the workforce. For many reasons, girls and young women are particularly likely to be left behind, so Theirworld is dedicated to initiatives that will help them unlock a better future.

In many parts of the world, girls face considerable barriers to education. They might be discriminated against, forced into child marriage or child labour, or fall prey to sexual exploitation or trafficking. Around the world, 132 million girls are out of school, but this actually represents progress: there were over 200 million out of school in 1998.

Theirworld works to both advocate for the value of educating girls, and deliver skills to young women in underserved communities. We do this because unlocking opportunity for young women has benefits far beyond the economic advantages new skills can bring to individuals.

A girl with an education is less likely to be forced into child marriage, experience violence or suffer from poor health; she is more likely to be able to break free from the cycle of poverty, contribute to a country’s economic growth and have a healthy family.

132 million girls around the world are out of school

In 2016 Theirworld began its Code Clubs initiative in several parts of sub-Saharan Africa. We worked with local partners to teach girls a programme in online coding, as well as provide access to numeracy, literacy, art and music to support their formal education. They also received a healthy snack during the class to help their energy levels and improve concentration.

The programme reached girls in Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria, before expanding further to help young Syrian and Palestinian refugee students in Lebanon. By the end of 2018, 1,300 girls and young women had been trained in coding as a result of Code Clubs.

In 2019 Theirworld embarked on an ambitious initiative. We created a dedicated Digital Literacy Curriculum with a view to being able to help young people all over the world gain access to digital skills. Aimed at the 16-20 age range, the curriculum takes students through a range of topics, including making the most of productivity tools, using email and social media and staying safe online. Alongside this they receive guidance on career pathways they may want to pursue.