Leadership and skill development
Advocacy, public speaking, and digital literacy for young women.
The Girl Summit
Empowered girls. Resilient communities.
A gathering of young women, community leaders, educators, and advocates. Skills, voice, and support that last longer than a single day.
Edition
7th, with the 8th in planning
2025 date
20 November 2025
Venue
Kenya School of Government, Mombasa
Partner
Kenya School of Government
Established in 2019, the Girl Summit is SYO’s annual marking of the International Day of the Girl Child. It engages girls locally, regionally, and globally on the socio-economic inequalities facing this generation — in education, legal rights, medical care, protection, and child marriage.
What we are working toward
Health and wellbeing
Reproductive health, mental wellness, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
Education and career guidance
Mentors across STEM, business, creative industries, and public service.
On the day
01
Keynote
Opening remarks on self-advocacy and civic engagement, tied to the year’s theme.
02
Workshops
Small groups on financial literacy, leadership, and digital safety.
03
Youth panel
A girl-led panel of first-hand experience and recommendations for local policy.
Three pillars
Voice and agency
Girl-led discussions and workshops on advocacy and rights.
Mentorship and networking
Speed-mentoring with women leaders.
Action and impact
Participants draft action plans for their own communities.
The journey
2026Taita Taveta
The 8th edition is in planning with county leadership and partners. A second stakeholders’ meeting was chaired by Esther Mwanyumba, Assistant Director for Gender and Social Services.
2025Mombasa
The 7th edition was held on 20 November 2025 at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa Campus, in partnership with KSG, under the theme “Empowered Girls, Resilient Communities: Unlocking Coastal Opportunities through Innovation and Inclusion.”
2024Kisumu
The summit convened girls, leaders, and advocates in Kisumu County.
2023Nairobi
An adolescents and youth communiqué was submitted to Hon. Esther Passaris, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, Vice-Chancellor Professor Kiama, and Dr. Anastasia, CEC for public participation in Nairobi.
2022Kwale
A communiqué to Governor Fatuma Achani asked for a county gender policy, an adolescent and young people’s SRH strategy, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making.
2021Kilifi
Adolescents and young people submitted a communiqué with three key asks to the County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Culture, Social Services and Sports.
2020Mombasa
Community Talking Boxes were commissioned to close the information gap on comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents and youth peer mentors.
2019Mombasa
The first summit developed a youth communiqué submitted to national and international policymakers during the ICPD25 Nairobi Summit.