Overcoming Challenges, Finding Hope: Girls Share Their Stories
The future looks bright for Faustina in Ghana, Soraya in Madagascar and Mariam in Mali. Their stories highlight the power of education and the crucial role of supportive caregivers in helping girls reach their fullest potential.
Related: New 'Girl Goals' report shows uneven progress for adolescent girls.
In Ghana, mother reminds daughter: "Education is your key to success"
Faustina, 15, lives with her mother Janet in Kasao, central Ghana.
"Growing up, I didn't have the support needed to achieve my dreams," Janet says. "I lost my father at a young age, and life was tough. I struggled to find work, got married early and had children. Later, I lost my husband and life became even more challenging."
Faustina walks for miles to get to school every day. "In my school," she says, "we don't have access to computers, which makes learning challenging in this modern era."
Still, her mother tells her: "I am happy to see you going to school and having the freedom to learn. Work hard — education is your key to success. A woman who studied hard is now the vice president of this country, Ghana. That's the power of education."
Faustina dreams of becoming a fashion designer. She tells her mother she admires her strength and devotion to supporting her and prioritizing her education. "Your dedication inspired me every day."
Focusing on school, avoiding early marriage in Madagascar
Soraya, 15, is in her third year at Charles Renel College in Majunga, northwest Madagascar. The sixth of seven siblings, Soraya was raised by her mother, Louisette, 45. Her father left the family years ago.
Louisette grew up without her own mother and at a time when girls' education was not highly valued. Deprived of schooling, she had to cope from an early age, nurturing the dream that her future daughters would have access to an education and a better future.
Today, she sells vegetables at the popular Mahabibo market to support the family. "I promised myself that one day I'd do everything I could so that my daughters could succeed in their studies because I knew how difficult it was to grow up without maternal support," Louisette says.
Soraya excels in science and math, and dreams of becoming a doctor an accountant. “My mother is a true inspiration to me," she says. "Her determination encourages me to do everything I can to succeed in my studies."
Outside of school, Soraya finds refuge and fulfillment in community life. She is a committed scout and a member of a student club supported by UNICEF and partners as a way to keep girls engaged, helping to reduce their risks of early marriage and teen pregnancy.
In Madagascar, 39 percent of women aged between 20 and 24 have been married or entered a union before age 18.
This story was adapted from an article originally published on unicef.org.
Maternal mentors for adolescent girls in Mali
In Niamakoro, a district in Bamako, Mali, 15-year-old Mariam receives support and advice from Kadidiatou Daou through a UNICEF-supported initiative known as Protective Mother, Protected Daughter.
Through the initiative, adolescent girls in the community are paired with maternal mentors like Daou, fostering intergenerational dialogue in a safe and protective environment and teaching girls to assert themselves.
The approach helped prevent more than 200 child marriages and 50 cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) between 2022 and 2023.
"Every girl needs to cultivate her self esteem to flourish," Mariam says. "My Protective Mother is a guide for me. We talk and she gives me lots of advice."
When she grows up, Mariam says she would like to become a minister or senior official, then run for president. "I advise other girls to study hard and work tirelessly," she says. "Hard work always pays off."
Learn some of the ways UNICEF and partners are supporting education for girls.
HOW TO HELP
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