Ask an Advisor Answers

Question: How can I help girls in my community to develop leadership skills and support them in meeting school fees to reduce high drop out and poor performance of girls in my community. Thank you.
Answer: Please take a look at our information on building leadership. That may help you come up with processes for teaching leadership skills. You will need to adapt some of the suggestions to fit the ages and cultural expectations of the girls with whom you are working. Beyond that consider whether there are potential partners within your community and region that may join you in enhancing the opportunities for girls. Are there potential mentors who can provide continuing encouragement and behavioral modeling to their mentees? Are their any NGOs or school missions focused upon teaching girls, that can assist your effort? What suggestions do the leaders of your community offer, and can they actively assist in any ways? What relevant resources can you find on our "Connect With Others" tab and elsewhere on the internet? We suggest that you begin to include the teaching of leadership skills and provide opportunities to practice those skills, perhaps in planning and carrying out small community projects. Build a network of others who also hope for the best for the girls in your community. Expect that the latter effort will take time. Thanks for contacting us, and feel free to ask again. Best wishes for success - for you and for your girls!
Question Date: Wed, 08/04/2010