Support for Girls
The life of girls in sub-Saharan Africa is strongly shaped while they are still young. In many developing countries, girls are married at the age of 14 and shortly afterwards they already expect their first child. More then 14 million girls between 15 and 19 years of age give birth every year (more >). Teenage pregnancies do not only force them to quit school but also brings along great health hazards: Teenage girls have a doubled risk to die during pregnancy or birth.
With our development projects and advocacy work, DSW increases awareness in Europe and in Africa itself and advocates for educational opportunities. Our objective is to break through the circuit of unwanted pregnancy, school dropouts, unemployment and poverty. We aim to empower women and adolescents to live a healthy and self-chosen life.
DSW Berlin
Linking Health and Education
Our advocacy related to girls' issues is a meaningful supplement to DSW's project work on the ground. We use our experiences from the project work to give decision–makers in Germany an idea of the situation of girls in developing countries. Through our All Party Group on Population and Development, we have a close exchange of ideas on girls' promotion with members of the Bundestag. more >
DSW Brussels
Advancing the Opportunities of Girls
Ensuring that the importance of girls’ empowerment is not ignored among donors and policy makers, DSW is advancing the opportunities of girls and young women on the international stage. Promoting gender budget lines within the EU’s financial instruments is an important part of this work. more >
Advocacy Activities in our Focus Countries
DSW’s advocacy efforts concentrate on stressing the need for improved health information, services and supplies, coupled with sufficient, stable health financing from both the Government and its development partners.
Learn more adout DSW's advocacy activities in...
