Junior Achievement Africa (JA Africa) has recently launched a groundbreaking campaign aimed at empowering ten million girls across the continent with essential skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and advocacy. The initiative, known as the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) Campaign, seeks to foster thriving and sustainable communities while addressing issues such as extreme poverty and gender-based violence in sub-Saharan Africa.
The 10MAG Campaign comes at a crucial time when girls and young women in Africa face significant challenges, including high rates of child marriage and adolescent births. In regions like West and Central Africa, where only 33% of girls complete high school, the need for improved access to quality education and economic opportunities for girls is paramount. Additionally, the campaign aims to tackle the gender disparity in venture capital funding, with only 2% of investments going to women-led start-ups in 2024.
The launch of the 10MAG Campaign coincided with the graduation ceremony of 52 girls from seven African countries who participated in the LEAD Camp in Accra. The camp, sponsored by Delta Air Lines, focuses on leadership, empowerment, achievement, and development, providing young girls with the skills and mindset needed for future success. Female volunteers from Delta Air Lines and accomplished women from various industries served as mentors, inspiring the girls to become leaders in their communities.
Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement at Delta Air Lines, expressed pride in supporting the LEAD Camp and the 10MAG Campaign, recognizing the importance of empowering young girls across Africa.
The brainchild of Simi Nwogugu, the 10MAG Campaign aims to raise funds and support for programs that empower young girls and women across the continent. In addition to JA programs, the campaign will also collaborate with other non-profit organizations serving marginalized girls in Africa. The official launch took place in Accra, Ghana, alongside a certification ceremony inducting the LEAD Camp girls as the inaugural cohort of the 10MAG network, providing them with ongoing mentorship and resources.
Simi Nwogugu emphasized the critical role of empowering young women through education and economic opportunities, highlighting the need to equip them with the tools to drive economic growth and lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. The 10MAG Campaign invites corporations, governments, NGOs, and individuals to join in creating a future where all young people, regardless of gender, can achieve their full potential.
For those interested in getting involved with the #10MAG Campaign, more information can be found at www.10mag.org.
About JA Africa:
JA Africa is a leading youth-serving NGO in Africa, dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in the global economy. With a presence in 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, JA Africa reaches over one million youth annually, offering hands-on learning experiences in work readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and more. Learn more about JA Africa at www.ja-africa.org.
