Poverty
Too many choices made by need, not by dreams.
Our storyYouth-led · Community-rooted
It started as a conversation. It continues with girls.
Girls Global Initiative was born from a heartfelt conversation between a young lady and a young man who recognised the challenges confronting girls in their communities. That conversation became an initiative centred on empowerment, education and advocacy.
Born from listening
Empowerment · Education · Advocacy
What we began
The challenges girls named
Poverty, early pregnancy, school dropout, menstrual health challenges, limited opportunities and missing guidance still shape too many girls' futures — especially in rural and underserved communities.
Early pregnancy
Childhoods interrupted, futures constrained.
School dropout
Bright girls leaving classrooms too soon.
Menstrual health
Shame and missing supplies keeping girls home.
Few opportunities
Potential with nowhere to grow.
No guidance
Big questions with nobody safe to ask.
Our journey
From conversation to commitment
01
We listened
Two young women named what girls around them were carrying — quietly, honestly, without looking away.
02
We named it
YMK Foundation began with school tours, sanitary support and safe spaces for girls to speak.
03
We gathered
In December 2024 the work became Girls Global Initiative — clearer focus, deeper commitment.
04
We walk with them
Today we educate, empower and support girls where the barriers are greatest.
Vision
A world where every girl, regardless of her location or background, has the rights, knowledge, health, support and opportunities to reach her full potential and make informed decisions about her life.
Mission
To educate, empower and support girls in rural, remote and underserved communities by advancing their rights, promoting their health and wellbeing, strengthening their confidence and physical development, and connecting them to mentorship, guidance and opportunities that can shape better futures.
Philomena Ofori Larbi
Founder & Executive Director
Leadership with lived understanding
“We started GGI so no girl has to figure it all out alone.”
Philomena leads Girls Global Initiative as a youth-led movement rooted in community. Under her direction, GGI centres girls' voices, pairing rights education and health support with the mentorship, guidance and encouragement every girl deserves.
What we believe
Hopeful, human, and unwilling to look away.
When girls are empowered, communities thrive and nations transform.
Girls at the centre
Every programme, partnership and conversation starts with what girls need to thrive.
Dignity always
We treat every girl with respect, compassion and humanity, protecting her voice.
Community first
Lasting change requires families, schools, communities and partners walking together.
Hope with honesty
We stay transparent and accountable while encouraging girls to speak up and pursue their aspirations.
Empowerment
Inclusion
Equality
Dignity
Integrity
Collaboration
Courage
These core values guide every classroom visit and community conversation.
From the gallery
Moments that keep moving with the work.
Walk with us for the girls who need it most.
Support GGI through giving, volunteering, partnership or advocacy — especially where support is thinnest.