Girl Up

Girl Up Girl Up is a global leadership initiative founded in 2010 by the United Nations Foundation to engage adolescent girls in leadership, advocacy, and service. The initiative mobilizes youth through campaigns, clubs, and partnerships with agencies such as the United Nations and organizations including UNICEF, Plan International, and CARE. Through programming that links local action to international policy, the initiative connects members with institutions like the U.S. State Department, World Health Organization, and philanthropic actors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

History

The initiative began in 2010 under the auspices of the United Nations Foundation alongside initiatives such as the Girl Effect and collaborations with the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women. Early development involved partnerships with media and celebrity advocates drawn from networks including Time Warner, Disney, and artists affiliated with campaigns like Global Citizen. Expansion occurred through alliances with humanitarian agencies such as International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, and Mercy Corps and through programs in regions highlighted by entities like the African Union, European Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Milestones included programmatic linkages to campaigns led by organizations such as Malala Fund, HeForShe, and the Bill of Rights-oriented advocacy of NGOs working with bodies like the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme.

Mission and Programs

The stated mission aligns with agendas advanced by institutions including the United Nations General Assembly, USAID, and the World Health Organization to advance adolescent leadership, rights, and health. Core programs include club-based leadership training, advocacy toolkits, and fundraising partnerships with humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children International, and CARE International. Programmatic focus often intersects with policy areas championed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sustainable Development Goals, and campaigns promoted by UN Women and the World Bank Group on gender equality, education access, and sexual and reproductive health. Capacity-building initiatives draw on curricula and training methods used by civic education organizations such as Teach For America, Ashoka, and Junior Achievement USA and coordinate events at venues like the United Nations Headquarters, Smithsonian Institution, and academic partners including Harvard University and Columbia University.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Administratively, the initiative operates within the United Nations Foundation framework and interacts with governance models used by international NGOs including Oxfam International, CARE International, and World Vision. Leadership includes staff, advisory boards, and volunteer networks modeled on structures seen at organizations such as the Clinton Foundation, Ford Foundation, and youth networks like AIESEC. Funding and oversight involve grant-making and partnerships with entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and corporate partners from PepsiCo, Sony Pictures, and Google.org. Accountability and reporting practices reference standards advocated by bodies including the Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and donor requirements common to USAID and multilateral funders like the Global Partnership for Education.

Global Campaigns and Initiatives

Campaign work connects local chapters to international advocacy through alliances with campaigns like HeForShe, Malala Fund initiatives, and UN-led observances including International Day of the Girl Child. Initiatives have addressed issues prioritized by institutions such as the World Health Organization (adolescent health), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (education), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (displacement). Global fundraising and awareness events have partnered with media and cultural institutions such as YouTube, MTV, and festivals like SXSW to amplify campaigns tied to policy moments at the United Nations General Assembly and regional meetings of the African Union and European Commission.

Impact and Criticism

Reported impacts include leadership development, advocacy wins tied to policy dialogues at the United Nations, and fundraising for partners such as UNICEF and Save the Children. Independent evaluations and commentary have come from think tanks and policy centers including the Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and International Center for Research on Women, while academic assessments have appeared in journals affiliated with institutions such as Oxford University and Johns Hopkins University. Criticism has focused on issues common to NGO initiatives noted by commentators from outlets like The Guardian, New York Times, and The Washington Post regarding scale, measurement, and partnership dynamics with corporate sponsors such as PepsiCo and media partners. Debates also reference broader discussions involving Malala Yousafzai-linked advocacy, effectiveness studies by World Bank analysts, and civil society critiques voiced at forums like the UN General Assembly and regional NGO networks.

Category:Non-profit organizations