Girl-Centered Program Design – A Toolkit to Develop, Strengthen & Expand Adolescent Girls Programs

As girls cross the “narrow bridge” of adolescence, they face greater risks than boys—poorer health outcomes, HIV vulnerability, school dropouts, early pregnancies, and limited income opportunities. Yet, too often, programs designed for “youth” fail to meet the unique needs of adolescent girls.

The Adolescent Girls’ Toolkit provides a step-by-step, practical guide for organizations designing, running, or strengthening girl-focused programs. Covering ages 10–24, the toolkit offers:

• Guidance on structuring girl-centered programs.
• Content development and activity design.
• Monitoring & Evaluation tools to track impact. 
• Adaptable templates, examples, and resources from global programs

Its central message is clear: girls thrive most in girl-only safe spaces, where they can express themselves, learn, and take on leadership roles. Even in mixed programs, applying girl-centered strategies ensures vulnerable girls are not left behind.