Empowering girls in the DRC to learn, lead, and succeed through education and mentorship

In the DRC, deep-rooted inequality and violence against women continue to silence their potential and shatter their futures. Education and empowerment are not just opportunities—they are urgent necessities.

In 2025, girls and young women face serious challenges. Their lives are affected by conflict, poverty, and inequality. Although rich in natural resources, the DRC has struggled for decades with instability. The World Bank’s Human Capital Index shows that a child born in the DRC today will only reach 37% of their potential due to poor education, health issues, and poverty. Young women also face widespread violence and strong gender inequality.

YWE empowers girls and young women aged 12-25 to break free from social and economic barriers, guiding them to continue their education or pursue vocational training. By uniting girls from diverse locations and backgrounds in supportive cohorts, YWE nurtures girl-led transformation and leadership. Through mentoring, menstrual health support, and leadership training, we support these young women in growing into confident leaders. By securing their own futures, they uplift their families and transform their communities.

Our Approach: Education

YWE empowers girls aged 12-18 by supporting their secondary education, equipping them with critical thinking skills that can lead to economic independence or pathways to higher education. Ensuring no barrier stands in their way, we cover:

  • school fees

  • supplies

  • school meal

  • uniforms

  • locally-made menstrual hygiene kits with reusable pads

Vocational Training

Motivated young women ages 18-25 can learn a vocation and develop production initiatives with a focus on breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. This empowerment enables them to challenge cultural gender norms from within, rise out of poverty, and achieve economic independence. YWE covers:

  • enrollment fees

  • course fees + exams

  • supplies

  • internship fees

  • locally-made menstrual hygiene kits with reusable pads

Mentorship

Harness the power of mentorship by building strong cohorts of mentors and mentees. Each girl gains the opportunity for transformative growth, unlocking her potential to drive local development and contribute to the greater good. YWE provides ongoing guidance and support to mentors and mentees and covers:

  • transportation + refreshments for in-person meetings

  • leadership trainings

  • 1:1 coachings

“There’s no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free, and educated woman.”

— Anjelina Jolie

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Email
info@youngwomenemerge.org

Phone
00-49-173-2394403