Project Girls 4 Girls South Africa Girls 4 Girls was born in 2017 when a group of Harvard graduate students from across the globe recognized that women in every part of the world are held back from taking up public leadership roles. The programme launched in South Africa in 2019. The organisation works to equip girls with the courage, vision, and skills needed to take on public leadership roles. While young women can vote and run for a public office in almost all
countries, they are significantly underrepresented in legislative bodies around the world. In fact, there are fewer than 20 women heads of state or government. Girls 4 Girls offers a platform for key leaders to bring their insights to a global mentoring network, in turn empowering young women to play a greater role in public service. The organisation believes that girls have the power to change the world – but this will only
be realised if they see women role models in leadership roles. Women in leadership have been found to have a multiplying effect – they aspire other women and girls to step into leadership roles. This is the reason why female leadership and mentorship, along with education and training, form the basis of Girls 4 Girls’ work. Contact: Email: rsa@projectg4g.org Web: projectg4g.org
DreamGirls Academy DreamGirls Academy, established in Johannesburg in 2011, aims to empower teenage girls through mentorship. The organisation was created by a group of young black female professionals determined to build a sisterhood and leave a legacy through positively impacting the lives of young women. The DreamGirls Academy provides a structured mentorship and empowerment programme, based on
encouraging girls to educate themselves, plan for the future, fulfil their potential, and become successful wellrounded change-makers. They also assist with access to education, professional and personal development information and opportunities. The organisation aims to equip and empower girls to become economically active and positive contributing members of society
The first mentorship programme started in 2012 at a school in Yeoville, Johannesburg, with only 30 girls participating. Since then, more than 750 teenage girls in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Welkom and Polokwane have been empowered through the mentorship programme. Contact: Tel: 011 568 0943 Email: info@ dreamgirlsacademy.com
Public Sector Leaders | August 2021 | 61