IWD Giving member Girls Education Mission International uplifts through education

International Women's Day (IWD) elevates the profiles of women-focused charities via IWD GIVING.

One IWD GIVING member is Nigeria-based nonprofit Girls Education Mission International, that used International Women's Day to advocate for bold actions to Accelerate Action toward gender equality and the education of girls.

"We are honored to be recognized by International Women's Day as a women-focused charity accelerating action for girls’ education in Nigeria. At Girls Education Mission International, we believe that every girl deserves the chance to learn, lead, and thrive. Your support helps us provide scholarships, mentorship, and digital skills to empower girls and transform communities," said Girls Education Mission International.

"This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the mentors, teachers, caregivers, and advocates who dedicate their lives to ensuring that every girl has access to education, mentorship, and essential resources. At Girls Education Mission International, we believe that empowering girls means empowering those who uplift them. Let’s Accelerate Action for girls' education and empowerment by investing in those who uplift girls. Because when we support the supporters, we empower a generation!" added Girls Education Mission International.

Girls Education Mission International marked International Women’s Day 2025 with a series of impactful activities aimed at celebrating the achievements of women and girls, while advocating to Accelerate Action for gender equality, particularly in education.

Delivering a powerful message

Girls Education Mission International's Executive Director, Keturah Shammah, delivered a powerful message highlighting the global education crisis and the urgent need for collective efforts to bridge the gap. 

Keturah emphasized how Girls Education Mission International is making a difference through scholarships, digital literacy programs, mentorship, teachers’ capacity building, and economic empowerment initiatives. She also issued a strong call to action, urging stakeholders to take a stand for girls’ right to quality education.

Hosting a live webinar with renowned experts

As part of its IWD celebrations, Girls Education Mission International hosted a live webinar titled Accelerating Action for Girls’ Education and Empowerment: Supporting the Supporters. 

The session featured renowned experts, including Elizabeth Mark Inji, a Women and Girls Development Expert, and Tyough Aondonengen Jacob, a Development Coach and Retail Development Manager. 

Participants gained useful insight into how they can support champions of girls’ education and empowerment.

A special IWD fundraising campaign

Girls Education Mission International also organized a special IWD fundraising campaign to Accelerate Action for girls' education and empowerment. Every donation of $50 or less was matched by 50%, which meant that even small contributions made an even bigger big impact.

Support for the fundraising campaign is helping Girls Education Mission International to:

• Provide scholarships and learning materials for 100+ schoolgirls
• Supply sanitary pads to ensure girls stay in school without interruption
• Fund training and resources for mentors, teachers, and caregivers
• Expand digital learning initiatives to bridge the education gap
• Offer mentorship programs that inspire and guide young girls
• Strengthen advocacy efforts to promote girls' education and empowerment

Pledging to support gender equality

In an effort to raise awareness and inspire action, Girls Education Mission International employees and volunteers engaged communities in the Jos, Plateau State through an IWD 2025 Pledge Card Campaign. 

This initiative focused on celebrating women’s achievements, advocating for gender equality, and amplifying the importance of empowering women and girls without bias or discrimination

Through meaningful conversations and pledge commitments, individuals expressed their dedication to breaking barriers, supporting education, and fostering a more inclusive world where every girl has access to quality education and opportunities.

"At Girls Education Mission International, we believe that equal rights and opportunities are fundamental to a just society. Our team of dedicated workers and volunteers took to the streets, schools, and communities, engaging people in conversations about gender equality and the transformative power of education. With the IWD 2025 Pledge Cards, Girls Education Mission International sparked discussions, challenged biases, and encouraged commitments toward a more inclusive and equal world," said Girls Education Mission International.

Empowering girls through education

Nonprofit organization Girls Education Mission International works to defend, protect and promote girls' rights, and challenge gender harmful norms that limit girls' opportunities to reach their full potential. The group aims to empower girls through education, health and safety, and economic and social support, working to eliminate violence and discrimination and create a supportive environment where every girl can thrive, reach her full potential, and contribute productively to her community and society. Th organization a world where every girl is educated, safe, healthy, and empowered economically and socially free from violence and discrimination. 

The story of Girls Education Mission International is one of resilience, vision, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. It all began with the founder, Keturah Shammah, an African woman from Northern Nigeria, who understood firsthand the transformative impact of education. Keturah defied considerable societal and economic challenges to earn her Bachelor’s degree in education. Her personal journey ingrained in her a conviction: education is an irrevocable asset and one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty. In 2007, driven by her desire to give back and empower other young girls, Keturah conducted a local research project to identify the specific barriers preventing girls in her community from accessing education. Armed with insights into the needs and challenges they faced, she founded a mentorship group, starting with just 10 girls. Every week, Keturah gathered with them to discuss issues around personal development, resilience, and potential career pathways, hoping to plant seeds of confidence, aspiration, and empowerment. By 2011, what had started as a small mentorship initiative blossomed into Girls Education Mission International, formally established to provide Nigerian girls with access to quality education through sustainable, scalable programs. The organization’s legal registration marked the beginning of an incredible journey. 

Over the years, Girls Education Mission International has grown in reach and reputation, powered by dedicated Board members, staff, and volunteers. Today, Girls Education Mission International remains at the forefront of advocating for girls’ education, breaking down barriers, and providing girls with opportunities to become agents of positive change in their communities and society at large.

"Education transforms lives, and together, we can create a world where every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. GEM calls on individuals, organizations, and policymakers to support initiatives that promote gender equality and girls’ education. Let's continue to support the supporters and ensure no girl is left behind," said Girls Education Mission International.

Support the supporters for IWD and beyond

A donation to Girls Education Mission International supports impactful work, through helping scale operations to meet the challenges girls face, thus accelerating progress towards achieving a better, brighter, and more sustainable future for girls and young women.