In a world flooded with opinions, evidence is power. And when that evidence meets purpose, transformation begins.

On Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, the FAWE Regional Secretariat had the privilege of hosting a dynamic and forward-looking engagement with the Ipsos team. A meeting that wasn’t just about collaboration, but about reimagining what’s possible when data meets advocacy.

Ipsos, a global leader in research and insights, came to the table with an open mind and a deep understanding of the African education and gender landscape. Represented by Emily Were, Samuel Muthoka, Gacoki Kipruto, and Peninnah Mukiri, the team offered not just statistics, but strategy, showing how evidence can shape policies that touch lives.

FAWE’s delegation, led by a cross-functional team of Emily Gumba, Gordon Aomo, Anne Motanya, Marion Robie, Esther Matuku, and John Kimani, shared our vision — a continent where girls’ education is not only prioritized but guided by the voices and realities of those most affected.
And in that space, something clicked.

We discovered not just a list of overlaps, but a shared heartbeat:
A belief in integrity and co-creation,
A drive for tech-powered tools like dashboards and data storytelling,
And a joint vision to amplify youth voices through platforms like Tuseme and beyond.
Together, we imagined a future where Research Clubs of Africa grow out of Tuseme clubs, where SRGBV (School-Related Gender-Based Violence) policies are shaped by real stories and hard data, and where no decision about education is made without evidence at its core.

The conversation didn’t end at inspiration—it turned to action:

  • Joint bids and consultancy opportunities, where Ipsos leads with research and FAWE brings in policy strength.
  •  Scale-up evaluations to better understand what works — and why.
  • Partnerships with global education allies like ACER to deepen impact continent-wide.

But beyond the proposals and bullet points, this meeting affirmed something deeper: we are not alone in this work. There are others — like Ipsos — who share our fire, our frustrations, and our faith in the power of meaningful data to drive lasting change.

As we walk forward into shared assignments and future projects, one truth guides us:
The path to inclusive, quality education for girls in Africa is clearer when we walk it with evidence in one hand and equity in the other.