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International Women’s Day 2026:
Access to rights

In 2025, ForAfrika’s programme interventions reached more than 3.4 million girls and women, representing 54.6% of our total reach across the continent.

This result is not a consequence of imposed quotas. It reflects a reality: across the communities we serve, girls and women are disproportionately affected by poverty, fragility, and systemic barriers. Evidence consistently shows that they face compounded vulnerabilities, particularly in contexts where food insecurity, limited infrastructure, and fragile systems intersect.

At ForAfrika, our long-term commitment is rooted in sustainable development. Our work ensures that women and girls have equitable access to integrated services and opportunities. When people lack access to food, water, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, women and girls are often the first and most affected.

As the world commemorates the International Women’s Day under the theme of justice and access to rights, we echo this call and we affirm that justice begins when communities are empowered to thrive. We reaffirm that justice begins long before it reaches institutions, it begins where barriers are removed and opportunities are created. Across the communities we serve, lasting change happens when systems work for women and girls, not against them.

Our commitment remains to address the structural barriers that limit opportunity and to invest in systems that enable women and girls not only to access their rights, but to thrive with dignity, resilience, and hope.

Justice begins in the community.

When people have access to education, safe water, food security, dignified livelihoods, and protection. When women and girls lack access to food, education, safety and income, justice remains an intangible dream. Enabling communities to thrive requires sustained, long-term commitment, a commitment we firmly uphold.

South Africa ECD Khulani
For over three years, Khulani ECD in the Thabo Community, Free State, South Africa has served as a trusted safe space where toddlers learn even though most come from communities that face resources constraints and persistent security challenges. Our partnership began with a school feeding initiative, providing fortified porridge to guarantee daily nutrition and ease operational pressures, enabling the centre to focus on quality early education. Woolworths deepened this impact by supporting the establishment of a school garden, adding fresh produce to children’s meals. Most recently, a full makeover transformed Khulani into a safe, dignified, and stimulating environment equipping young learners with the infrastructure they need to thrive and build brighter futures.

Photo: Bongie Marwalla, Khulani ECD principal, harvesting vegetables from the school garden supported by Woolworths. Photo Rebecca Navega/ForAfrika

Angola
In Viendi, a rural village in Angola, teachers identified a troubling gap in school attendance among girls aged 10 to 14. While overall retention has improved, due to ForAfrika’s school feeding project, many girls miss classes during their menstrual periods. Limited access to hygiene products, combined with stigma and social bias, leaves them feeling ashamed and excluded from learning spaces. For some, repeated absence leads to dropping out altogether. Menstrual health is not simply a personal matter, it is an educational barrier shaped by poverty and silence. Community workshops and the distribution of menstrual kits are helping girls remain in school with dignity and renewed confidence.

Photo: Ermelinda Duva, ForAfrika Angola Community Engagement Officer leading a training on menstruation health to the students of Kalupuca Primary School in Angola. Photo Rebecca Navega/ForAfrika

Without stability, there is no justice.

Justice systems cannot function where communities face hunger, displacement, or economic collapse. In fragile and rural contexts, women face compounded barriers: poverty limits access to legal support, distance isolates them from institutions, conflict weakens rule of law and social norms silence survivors.

South Sudan
At just 13 years old, Judisah stepped forward to protect her family’s health and safety. After participating in Community-Led Total Sanitation sessions in Gebu 3, Jebel Boma County, South Sudan, supported by UNICEF, she understood the risks that unsafe sanitation posed, especially for women and girls. When her mother was away providing for the household, Judisah took initiative. She repaired the latrine slab, raised the walls, and mobilised neighbours to help roof it. Her determination transformed her family’s daily reality. Today, they no longer walk into the bush at night, but live with greater safety, dignity, and well-being.

Photo: Judisah standing next to the latrine she constructed in Jebel Boma, South Sudan. Photo: ForAfrika

Rwanda
Alice grew up in Taba village, Kamonyi District in Rwanda after losing her mother at a young age. Without access to safe menstrual products, she relied on improvised materials, facing discomfort and stigma that repeatedly disrupted her schooling. Over time, these barriers pushed her out of the classroom and increased her vulnerability, placing her aspirations on hold. Access to reusable pads has helped her manage her health safely and consistently. With this support, Alice is rebuilding her confidence and stability. A simple intervention is helping restore dignity and strengthening her ability to move forward on her own terms.

Photo: On the left Alice Uwinduhaye after receiving reusable pads in Kamonyi, Rwanda. Photo: Felix Mwibonere/ ForAfrika

Economic empowerment is justice in action.

A woman who earns an income has greater decision-making power, a girl who stays in school reduces her risk of early marriage and exploitation, a community with safe water reduces exposure to violence and vulnerability.

Mozambique
Our Nutriempreendedoras are living proof that dignified income can be transformative. In Sofala, Mozambique, 22 women embarked on a journey to become nutrition entrepreneurs, producing and selling Papa Soja, a fortified porridge made from maize and soy that provides balanced nutrition for children from the age of two. Through this social enterprise model, communities gain access to affordable, locally produced nutritious food. At the same time, these women secure an additional income stream, reshaping their households’ realities. With greater financial autonomy, they make better decisions about food, education, and family well-being proving when a woman thrives, she uplifts her entire community.

Photo: Luisa, Nutrientrepreuneur of Papa Soja in Dondo, Mozambique. Photo Rebecca Navega/ ForAfrika

Ethiopia
In Doha Kebele, Ethiopia, Tibisa Godana has spent years working tirelessly to support her five children, yet income alone did not guarantee stability. Without access to savings or formal financial services, money came and went, leaving little room to plan or grow. Through a women-led Village Savings and Loan Association supported by the Brighter Future Project, Tibisa gained financial literacy, access to small loans, and the confidence to strengthen her business. Today, she saves consistently and makes informed decisions for her household. Economic empowerment has not only increased her income, but it has also expanded her autonomy, resilience, and freedom to shape her family’s future.

Photo: Tibisa Godana in Daba Kebele, Ethiopia. Photo: ForAfrika

Women are advancing justice across Africa.

Women are in the frontlines of change: teachers are ensuring girls remain in school, farmers are increasing household income, community leaders are advocating for inclusion, health workers are supporting survivors and entrepreneurs are driving local economic resilience.

Uganda
In 2018, Christine fled conflict in South Sudan and rebuilt her life in the Rhino Refugee Settlement in Uganda’s West Nile region. Forced to leave behind her home and start again amid uncertainty, she chose not only to survive, but to lead. Today, Christine serves as a lead mother and community health promoter, supporting other women through ForAfrika’s Hope Groups. She trains mothers on practical health practices, organises meetings, provides counselling, and helps resolve disputes affecting women’s safety and wellbeing. So far, she has directly supported 14 mothers to strengthen their families’ health and stability — exemplifying leadership and resilience.

Photo: On the right is Christine Lumu training other mothers at a vegetable demonstration garden in Rhino Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Photo: ForAfrika

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© 2026 | For Afrika to Thrive (Registration Number: 2010/025117/10) is a multi-national public charity with a global reach. We have affiliate offices in:
• South Africa (ForAfrika South Africa NPC, Registration Number: 1983/011022/08, NPO Number: 052-455-NPO, PBO Number: 130000144)
• United Kingdom (ForAfrika UK, England and Wales Registered Charity Number: 1050992, Scotland: SC043643)
• USA (ForAfrika USA, EIN: 38-2726350)
• Canada (Canada ForAfrika, Charity Number: 865982573 RR 0001)
• Germany (ForAfrika Deutschland e.V., Tax Number: 99019/38930)
• Switzerland (Stiftung Schweiz ForAfrika, Registration Number: CHE-114.509.322)
• Australia (ForAfrika Ltd, Registration Number: 651 493 980)
• Norway (ForAfrika Norge, Registration Number: 828 055 232)

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