Education

Learning life skills, unleashing potential

Young women are almost 1.5 times more likely to be unemployed than young men.³ Much of this inequality is rooted in childhood, with inequitable access to education creating a gap in future earnings between men and women.

We believe in empowering and educating young women from an early age, to give them the best chance at long-term economic inclusion. As such, Futuremakers education projects target mostly girls, with an aim of giving them the confidence and skills needed to overcome gender imbalance. We strive to equip them with the confidence, knowledge, and skills they need to be economic leaders in their families and communities.

The education pathway comprises of our flagship programme Goal, Futuremakers education projects in India, and financial education in China. Beyond skills, project participants also learn about their rights, as women who are aware of their rights are more likely to be healthier, better educated, and better paid.⁴

Project spotlight: Goal

Via sport and activity-based learning, Goal provides modules on financial education, communication skills, health and hygiene, and self-confidence. Established in 2006, Goal later transitioned to become part of Futuremakers in 2019.

Goal by numbers

Strategic partner managing Goal globally: Women Win

Key outputs and outcomes

A total of 229,950 girls participated in intensive Goal activities between January 2019 and April 2023. Below are the key outputs and outcomes:

60,644 young girls reported that their families support them to remain in education or vocational training.
47,967 young girls have taken up leadership positions.
39,766 young girls reported having the confidence to delay pregnancy.
38,209 young girls demonstrated increased confidence and self-esteem.
32,983 young girls reported having the confidence to resist early marriage.
38,886 young girls reported awareness of their rights, including access to relevant community services (health, police, education).

Read more about our life skills education projects.

While these results show progress, they also highlight that the desired outcomes are not being realised by all participants. There are various possible explanations, some of which are reviewed here. One factor is that these results are a snapshot after short (typically 10-month) projects and don’t track long-term changes in participants' lives.

An education success story

Challenging gender bias in Nigeria

Before joining Goal, 12-year-old Ayim had given up on her dream of becoming a doctor. She believed in a clear gender divide: women were nurses and men were doctors. However, after learning about gender, leadership, and work during her Goal modules, Ayim’s dreams were reignited.

With her new-found confidence, she plans to study medicine at university and become a doctor one day.

Learn more about Ayim’s story here.

I’m happy to be a Goal girl and know that my gender cannot limit me.

Ayim
Kenya