We get girls into school, help them to learn, support them to succeed, and unlock their power to lead.

OPTIONS serves girls and young women in impoverished districts in rural Africa, tackling the pressing and interlinked challenges of poverty and gender that limit their education and opportunity.

We see girls’ education as the foundation for social justice, women’s leadership, economic development, and climate action.

Poverty is the greatest barrier to education that girls face.

With many households surviving on less than $1.25 per day, a lack of funds for both direct and indirect school-going costs creates the constant threat of girls’ expulsion, or prevents their access entirely. Other poverty-related issues — such as hunger, lack of resources to buy menstrual items, school uniforms and school supplies — can also make it difficult for girls to attend school regularly, learn while they are there, and study effectively at home. Poverty is also a key driver of practices like early marriage – both a cause and effect of girls’ exclusion from school – with girls facing pressure to get married to bring in more resources to their families, either through the ‘bride price’ or through simply reducing the number of mouths to feed. 

OPTIONS- An Introduction

OPTIONS supports some of the most excluded girls in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to go to school, learn, thrive and lead change for their families and communities. Our programs are spearheaded by the young women leaders in the OPTIONS GHANA FOUNDATION, who partner with their communities to secure every child’s right to quality education.

Together with our partners we have set ourselves the goal of supporting 5 million more girls to go to school, and with your help, we can get there. Join us!