Investing in Girls' Health and Rights: StandOut Foundation Marks International Day of the Girl Child in The Gambia

The International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on 11 October, celebrates girls and amplifies their voices, leadership and actions. For Standout Foundation, this year's observance was an opportunity to strengthen its commitment to girls' education and health through a menstrual health support initiative in two schools in The Gambia. The activities included donating sanitary pads, learning materials and delivering sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education for girls.

Why investing in girls' rights matters

This year's International Day of the Girl Child theme, End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights, is an urgent call to action.

According to UNICEF’s profile of child marriage in The Gambia, 69,300  girls were married before they turned 15 years old. The figures are even higher for those girls married before they turned 18 years, at 248,900 in The Gambia. 

This experience of child marriage for other girls is similar well beyond The Gambia. According to UNICEF’s 2026 estimates, an estimated one in five girls are married before age 18 across the world, representing approximately 650 million women and girls alive today who were married in childhood.  These girls are often missing in the classroom; according to UNICEF, Girls aged 15-19 are twice as likely as boys to not be in education. Apart from child marriage, one of the barriers to girls' education is period poverty. 

According to The World Bank, On any given day, more than 300 million women worldwide are menstruating. In total, an estimated 500 million lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. In The Gambia, some girls miss school for about five days every month because they cannot afford or access menstrual products and sanitary facilities. This can amount to 40–50 school days of missed learning, which can affect their participation and progress in education.

Supporting girls beyond the classroom

Standout Foundations International Day of the Girl Child campaign provided menstrual products and reliable health information to support girls' confidence, well-being and participation in education. Making sure menstruation never stands in the way of  her learning is central to Standout Foundations’ thematic areas focused on SRHR Education and Well-being.

The initiative reached over 200 girls aged 11–18 across Sheikh Mass Kah Secondary School and New Life Preparatory School. The activities combined the donation of menstrual hygiene products with SRHR education, giving girls the chance to learn more about their bodies and reproductive health.

Delivered in a safe and engaging environment, the sessions addressed common myths and taboos around menstruation. The discussions encouraged girls to ask questions, challenge misconceptions and take part in conversations about their menstrual health and well-being. Beyond providing supplies, Standout Foundation recognises the importance of equipping girls with accurate, age-appropriate information and creating safe spaces where they can discuss their health without embarrassment or judgement.

At Sheikh Mass Kah Secondary School, the school principal, Musa Njie, received sanitary pads from Standout Foundation's Executive Director, Faith Ememodo, on behalf of the school.

The Foundation's team, led by Faith Ememodo and accompanied by Communications and Programmes Officer Sukak Fatajo, also visited New Life Preparatory School and donated learning supplies, including pens, pencils, erasers and sharpeners which was well received by the School Principal, Mrs Nassie Edmond.

The visit reflects the Foundation's commitment to improving access to education for children.

A continued commitment to girls' futures

Progress is possible. Thanks to investments in girls' education, legal reform and social protection, according to UNICEF an estimated 68 million child marriages have been averted over the past 25 years. But there is more to do.

This initiative does not end here. Standout Foundation also engaged in follow-up activity, teaching girls to make reusable pads.. For Standout Foundation, supporting girls goes beyond marking an international day. It means contributing to environments where girls have access to the resources, knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive. Through initiatives such as this, the Foundation continues to advance girls' health, education and rights, recognising that investing in girls today contributes to stronger communities tomorrow.

Today and always, partner with Standout Foundation to keep girls learning across Africa. Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, make informed choices and shape her own future.