“There is no effort too little to make a change,” said Shiphra Chisha, Director of Programmes at the Graça Machel Trust, as she addressed an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 adolescent girls from Katlehong, Leondale, and Soweto. Affectionately known as the “Eagles,” these girls are part of the Trust’s Pan African Adolescent Girls’ Movement and had gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa to celebrate this years’ Heritage Day.
The event was a blend of educational sessions and cultural expressions, which not only showcased the girls’ optimism and the strength of unity but also fostered a profound sense of identity and community. Their performances were both entertaining and enlightening, addressing crucial issues such as violence against girls, the benefits of environmental stewardship through tree planting, and the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
Ms. Chisha further inspired the attendees with her passionate address. She urged the Eagles to continue building the Movement’s momentum: “As your Eagle Mother, I encourage you to keep the momentum of the Movement going, bring more Eagle Sisters to the Movement so that you can continue to grow, learn, and conquer together.” She likened their efforts to how eagles build their nests—meticulously and collaboratively—thus creating strong, safe, and nurturing environments.
Photo: Ms Chisha’s words painted a vivid picture of the Movement’s foundation: paced, aware, and collaborative, aimed at creating a safe and conducive environment for the adolescent girls of South Africa.
Advocates Leading the Charge in the Adolescent Girls Movement
Picture: From left to right: Ms. Thembi Mahuwa (Lawyer), Ms. Nthabiseng Khwinana (SA Human Rights Commissioner), Ms Shiphra Chisha, Director of Programme (GMT), Hon. Keitumetse Mogale-Makinta SC (Acting Judge of the Gauteng High Court), and an associate of the judge.
Hon. Keitumeste Mogale-Makinta SC, Acting Judge of the Gauteng High Court and a fervent advocate for the Pan African Adolescent Girls’ Movement led a crucial interactive session focused on the safety and strengthening of young women. In 2023, the South African Police Service reported over 146,000 cases of sexual offences, a number that is likely higher due to underreporting from stigma and fear. Additionally, the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention found that 20% of girls in South African schools have experienced sexual violence, including harassment and assault. Advocates are working tirelessly to address these issues. Her talk titled “Identifying environments and situations that could expose adolescent girls to harm,” equipped the girls with the skills to recognise and respond to potential dangers. The girls engaged eagerly, demonstrating their readiness to learn and apply these critical life skills. Hon. Mogale-Makinta’s dedication to supporting and uplifting young women shone through as she emphasised the importance of self-awareness and community vigilance.
Photo: Hon. Mogale-Makinta encouraged the girls to voice their concerns and to trust their instincts, enabling them to protect their rights and ensure their voices are heard.
Ms. Thembi Mahuwa, a seasoned lawyer and another staunch supporter of the Movement, conducted a complementary interactive session on legal self-advocacy. Her session, “How adolescent girls can use the Power of Their Voices to be Heard by Legal Authorities,” provided the girls with practical tools to navigate the legal system when their safety is at risk. Sharing her extensive legal knowledge, Mahuwa inspired the girls to use their voices effectively, highlighting the power of speaking up against injustices.
Photo: Ms. Mahuwa,underscored the Movement’s commitment to providing these young women with the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for themselves and their peers within potentially oppressive systems.
South Africa’s Human Rights Commissioner, Ms. Nthabiseng Khwinana, emphasised her dedication to protecting adolescent girls’ rights. She highlighted her work in investigating human rights violations and supporting communities through educational outreach, stressing that safeguarding young girls is vital for a just society
Photo: Ms. Nthabiseng Khwinana, South Africa Human Rights Commissioner.
Princess Tshepi Motloung, community leader and Founder of the FutureLift Foundation, also commended the visionary efforts of Mrs. Graça Machel in spearheading the Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement. She highlighted how the initiative actively confronts societal and cultural barriers, strengthening the girls’ resolve and capacity to be at the forefront of Africa’s social transformation. “There is an urgent need to care for our girls,” she stated, addressing the need to challenge restrictive cultural norms and practices. She celebrated the progress made in combating child marriage and female genital mutilation across many African countries while also spotlighting persistent issues like teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse within South Africa.
Photo: Highlighting the initiative’s impact, Princess Tshepi celebrated the growing sisterhood and safe spaces created in Johannesburg.
Photo: The Movement’s success is greatly enhanced by the support of our partners, including Mrs. Zodwa Latola from the Break-Through Centre, who praised the girls for their passion and commitment to the Movement.
Voices of Change: How the Movement is shaping the lives of adolescent girls in communities
“This Movement enables us to engage with decision-makers on issues affecting us, equips us to identify local challenges, and actively participate in creating the changes we wish to see. It provides us with skills and information for personal development, inspiring us to become future leaders and better ourselves.”
“The Movement has impacted my life at home. My communication with my mom has improved; she now understands that she has to talk to me for me to understand her, which has helped our relationship. Even my dad has begun to understand me better.”
“The Adolescent Girls’ Movement has exposed me to a lot of things and information. My hope for the future is to see my country, South Africa, and the world free from drugs.”
“I have learnt that education is a foundation upon which societies are built. It helps us make informed decisions and solve complex problems in this ever-changing world.”
One guest at the event asked. “Why are the girls in the Movement referred to as Eagles? They explained it best themselves: “The eagle, being the strongest bird in the sky, symbolises strength, courage, and freedom. It represents our soaring aspirations.”
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.