Rising Beyond Limits: How Young Women in YW4A Are Leading Change

At Safe Engage Foundation, we have witnessed first-hand how the Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy and Accountability (YW4A) programme is transforming lives. Designed to empower girls and young women to know their rights, build agency, and challenge harmful norms, YW4A equips participants with leadership, advocacy and referral skills so they can hold duty bearers accountable and create inclusive, gender-equitable communities.

From Training to Transformation

After being recruited as Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) and trained through the Rise Up Manual, young women were not only equipped with skills but inspired to let their inner leadership shine. Today, these TOTs are running FemSpaces with passion and innovation — safe hubs where young women gather to learn, mentor one another, and advocate for change.

“When I first met with Christine during the TOTs recruitment I felt she believed in me, but I was shy and unsure about my voice, through the Rise Up Manual my inner leader has been unveiled , I not only lead a FemSpace but an organisation with over 20 young women, we met every week to talk about rights, plan community actions — and I feel like a leader for the first time.” — Harriet Robi, Founder and Chairperson of Muungano Girls and Beyond

Building Sustainability from the Ground Up

What makes this story truly remarkable is the resilience and foresight of these young leaders. Many have gone beyond facilitation to establish their FemSpaces as self-help groups and community-based organisations (CBOs). This strategic move secures the sustainability of their work and ensures that the impact of YW4A extends far beyond the project cycle, bringing lasting benefits to their communities.

“Registering our FemSpace as a community based organisation means we can access local funding and resources. We’re no longer just a project — we’re a movement that will outlive YW4A.” — Harriet Robi

Expanding Impact: Business, Advocacy and Protection

Beyond running FemSpaces, many of these young women have started and are successfully running small businesses and Insititutions — demonstrating that economic empowerment and leadership go hand in hand. They are now sitting at decision-making tables, negotiating for their rights, and openly saying no to harmful practices such as child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM). This bold action means that more children are now protected from harmful practices and are getting the support they need to thrive.

“I used the skills I gained from YW4A trainings to launch my pre-school. Now I am looking forward to growing it to a bigger institution to ensure basic education for children and employment for young.” — Pauline Boke, School TOT

“When I spoke against early marriage and women economic freedom at a chief’s baraza, I felt the power of my voice. We are changing minds — one community at a time.” — Jane, Victorious Femspace

Celebrating Outstanding Achievements

We are especially proud of three young women, Saada Mwajuma of Mwanamke Nyota, Regina Gati of Bukuria Central West Youths and Harriet Robi of Muungano Girls and Women Beyond, who applied for the Faith to Action Network Changemakers Award and emerged as recipients, an award that celebrates grassroot leaders and groups that are ensuring gender justice and challenging norms around teen pregnancies. Each award comes with a seed grant to support their outstanding initiatives within their FemSpaces — a testament to their courage, creativity and leadership.

“Winning the Faith Actors Award gave me confidence and assurance that I am doing the right thing and the grant will will support our mentorship programme for teen mothers during holidays. This is how change multiplies.” — Saada, Award Recipient

A Movement of Lasting Change

This journey reflects the very heart of YW4A’s objectives: empowering young women to lead, organise, and sustain action against harmful norms. Their resilience, vision, and ability to institutionalise their efforts ensure that even as projects end, the movement they have sparked continues to grow — changing lives, strengthening communities, and building a future where women and girls can thrive.

“YW4A showed us that leadership is not about age or titles; it’s about action. We are now part of something bigger than ourselves.” — Regina Gati, TOT and Program Oficer at SEF