The Strong Girl Incubator

December 3, 2025

Rewriting the Story of Girls’ Education in Sierra Leone: The Strong Girl Incubator

Fatmata*, 17, dropped out of school after her junior secondary school exams due to financial difficulties and cultural beliefs that discouraged girls’ education. She helped her mother with street trading while holding onto her dream of learning. Joining the Strong Girl Incubator (SGI) in 2024 “revived her hope of gaining an education.” On joining the SGI she says, “I had trouble reading five-letter words, feared maths, and faced family pressure, but I was determined to improve.” With a learning plan and support, she progressed quickly, improving her vocabulary, gaining confidence, and now believes fully in herself and her abilities.

Isha*, 14, joined the SGI after being sent to her village to help her mother with farming and having to discontinue school. She previously lacked confidence and found many subjects challenging, but through Phonics, Reading Time, and Sisterhood Circle in the SGI she developed strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Now a mediator and role model, she says, “The support, mentoring, and high-quality teaching from EducAid have been key to my success. I am now on the right path to achieving my dream of becoming a medical doctor.”

Hawa*, 15, joined the SGI in 2024 after leaving school to help her parents financially and facing strong family beliefs that girls should not complete their education. “I started helping my mother with street trading… but I have always been determined to continue my education and change my story.” When she arrived, she struggled with reading, low confidence, and feared maths, but quickly strengthened her literacy, numeracy, and life skills. “Now I can read better… and I see myself as a girl who can achieve anything if I work hard.”

*names/photos changed to protect identity

Girls’ Education in Sierra Leone

Education is a fundamental human right. Yet in Sierra Leone – one of the most challenging countries in the world to be a girl, ranking 152/172 on the UN’s Gender Inequality Index – girls continue to face significant barriers to access and success in school.

Rates of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy are high, with 30% of girls married before the age of 18 (UNICEF, 2023). Poverty, deeply-entrenched gender norms, high rates of FGM, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are other major factors that exclude girls from the classroom. Junior Secondary School (JSS) is a particularly vulnerable stage, with many girls leaving school during or around this transition at an age when they are most susceptible to harmful practices, contributing to higher child and maternal mortality.

In Sierra Leone, only 22% of girls complete secondary school, while 49% of girls of lower secondary age and 67% of girls of upper secondary age are out of school (UNESCO, 2024), perpetuating a cycle of inequality.

Isatu, EducAid’s SGI Coordinator: “In Sierra Leone, young women often encounter barriers such as societal expectations, limited resources, and cultural norms that discourage them from pursuing education.”

Sierra Leone has made notable policy progress: secondary education has been free since 2018, the ban on pregnant girls attending school was lifted in 2019, and new inclusive education frameworks were introduced in 2020, allowing more girls than ever to enter secondary school.

The Strong Girl Incubator – Supporting Girls to Thrive in School

EducAid saw firsthand how many girls were out of school or forced to drop out. In 2007, the organization created the Strong Girl Incubator (SGI) – a girls-only space, led by women and co-designed by participants, where girls can build the knowledge, confidence, and resilience to succeed in school.

The SGI is an accelerated learning programme designed to support girls who have dropped out or are at risk of doing so. Delivered at EducAid’s Lumley and Rolal schools, the programme is self-paced and tailored to individual needs. Girls participate in workshops led by female role models, mentoring, sisterhood circles, and activities to boost self-esteem and resilience. The SGI also addresses economic and social barriers, providing school meals, learning materials, hygiene supplies, and accommodation.

Through the SGI, girls access education, gain skills and confidence, and develop long-lasting support systems. Last year, EducAid supported 119 girls back into mainstream education, and 93 girls are enrolled in the SGI this year.

Isatu: “Witnessing the growth and empowerment of these girls as they overcome these challenges is truly inspiring.”

How You Can Support Girls in Sierra Leone

This week, you can help EducAid reach more girls through the Big Give Christmas campaign. Donations to the Strong Girl Incubator during campaign week will be matched, doubling the impact of every gift.

By supporting the SGI, you help girls continue their education, pursue their ambitions, and shape their futures.

Donate to the SGI Big Give

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