Written by Sophia Papastavrou, Gender Technical Specialist, World Vision Canada
Through the transformative power of Every Girl Can (EGC), a World Vision initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, young women are breaking free from the cycle of violence, discrimination and limited opportunity. In the heart of Mozambique’s Nampula Province, young women like Argentina and Hortência are challenging deeply entrenched gender norms.
Argentina's story
Argentina once felt shame and regret. Her story began like that of many girls in this region, which has one of the highest rates of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Mozambique. Nearly one in two girls in the central and northern areas finds herself in a similar situation, with her dreams cut short by early marriage and the burdens of premature motherhood.
“I got pregnant very early and started living with the person who got me pregnant,” Argentina recalls. “I was ashamed and would lock myself up at home. I ended up dropping out of school in grade 7.” For years, she felt trapped in darkness, her aspirations lost.
However, Argentina’s life was transformed when she joined the girls’ club in Netia, Monapo, as part of EGC. Over four months, she attended sessions that educated her on preventing child marriage, combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and understanding her sexual and reproductive rights. The club provided a safe space for Argentina to express herself, connect with peers facing similar challenges and rebuild her confidence.
“I learned that nothing is lost and that I can start over,” Argentina reflects. She now dreams of returning to school to complete her education and starting a small business to support her studies. Argentina is one of 210 girls who recently graduated from the girl’s club in the Monapo district.
Argentina and her peers sing during the EGC graduation ceremony.
Hortência’s story:
Similarly, Hortência, a 19-year-old, faced the harsh realities of early marriage and pregnancy. “Before the Every Girl Can project, I didn’t know anything about my rights,” Hortência shares. “If I had known what I learned in the Safe Spaces sessions—about my rights, early marriage and early pregnancies—I wouldn’t have gotten pregnant early.”
Through EGC, Hortência joined a sewing training program, which taught her valuable skills and encouraged her to return to school and pursue her dreams. “Today, I am happy to know that I have the right to study,” Hortência says. “I dream of one day opening my tailor shop to produce clothes to sell, especially school uniforms.”
Hortência’s journey reflects the broader impact of EGC on young women across Nampula Province. The project empowers girls to challenge harmful norms and build sustainable futures by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge.
Hortência, along with 80 other girls in Murrupula district, participated in sewing training. Skills like sewing help girls develop income-generating activities and go back to school.
Transformative impact
Launched in 2021, EGC is a five-year initiative by World Vision, in partnership with Action Aid and REDE HOPEM, aimed at reaching over 146,000 adolescents aged 8-24 across the districts of Monapo, Murrupula and Nacarôa by 2026. The project focuses on improving gender equality and empowering adolescent girls and young women to live free from SGBV and discrimination.
Central to the project are the Safe Spaces sessions, where girls learn about their rights, discuss their experiences and build a supportive community. These sessions are more than just educational—they are transformative, providing young women with the tools to make informed decisions about their health and futures.
The project also works to create safe and supportive school environments. In 2023, 750 Parent-Teacher Association members were trained on handling SGBV and child protection protocols, creating a safer space for girls to learn without fear. The initiative established 109 girls’ clubs, mentoring over 5,500 girls and young women, and trained 57 health professionals to provide psychosocial first aid to survivors of violence.
Providing safe spaces, mentorship, and education dismantles barriers that prevent girls from realizing their full potential. Girls like Argentina and Hortência are gaining knowledge, discovering their voices and learning to advocate for their rights.
The ripple effects of this work are profound. Educated and empowered girls are less likely to marry early, more likely to have healthier families and better equipped to contribute to their communities and economies, driving progress and development at all levels.