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

Break the Silence. Unlock Her Potential.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), deep-rooted inequality and violence against women continue to silence their potential and shatter their futures. Education and training are not just opportunities—they are urgent necessities.

In 2025, girls and young women face relentless challenges. Conflict, poverty, and gender inequality are near-constant threats. Despite the DRC’s natural wealth, instability has held back progress for decades. According to the World Bank’s Human Capital Index, a child born in the DRC today will only reach one-third of their potential due to poor education, health issues, and poverty. Young women also face widespread gender-based violence.

But change is possible.
YWE is fighting back by empowering girls and young women to break free from social and economic barriers. We guide them to continue their education or pursue vocational training, building skills, confidence, and resilience.

Our objectives:

  • Reduce barriers to education and vocational training

  • Provide mentorship and leadership training

  • Unite girls from diverse locations and backgrounds

  • Create supportive cohorts and catalyze a generation of strong, determined leaders

When girls have the tools to shape their futures, they lift their families and transform their communities.

Join the Movement. Empower Girls.

Our Approach: Education

Young Women Emerge (YWE) empowers girls by supporting their secondary education. This equips them with critical thinking skills that can lead to economic independence or pathways to higher education. Significantly reducing barriers so that girls can focus on their education, YWE covers:

  • school fees

  • supplies

  • school meal

  • uniforms

  • locally-made hygiene kits

Vocational Training

Motivated young women can learn a vocation with a focus on breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. This enables them to challenge cultural gender norms, rise out of poverty, achieve economic independence, and lead by example. Young Women Emerge (YWE) covers:

  • enrollment fees

  • course fees + exams

  • supplies

  • internship fees

  • locally-made hygiene kits

Mentorship

Young Women Emerge (YWE) cultivates confident, capable young women. By building strong cohorts of mentors and mentees through the transformative power of mentorship, each girl gains the confidence, skills, and opportunity to unlock her full potential and become a catalyst for change in her community. YWE offers continuous guidance, resources, and encouragement to ensure meaningful, lasting growth for both mentors and mentees, and covers essential areas such as leadership development, life skills, education support, and community engagement.

“To girls and women everywhere, I issue a simple invitation. My sisters, my daughters, my friends; find your voice.”

— President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, First woman president in Africa & Nobel Peace Prize winner

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Email
info@youngwomenemerge.org

Phone
00-49-173-2394403