FAWE RS, FAWE Kenya, Malkia Initiative, and Plan International assembled in Ukunda for a weeklong Outcome Harvesting from 2024. The workshop came to assess progress, document the outcomes and revise approaches that worked with FAWE’s theory of change. 2024 Outcome Assessment Participants reviewed the achievements of the program, related them to activities, and measured progress made in relation to strategic objectives. Further, communication workplans were developed, documentation skills were strengthened, and budgets were re-aligned under the new MOFA framework.

Concluding the workshop were efforts by the teams in drafting the Annual Report showcasing major outcomes and impact, supporting FAWE’s commitment to evidence-based programming and sustainable change.

Break Free! in Addis Ababa
FAWE constitutes one of the key partners in the Break Free! Alliance (BFA), which addresses barriers to education and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for girls across Africa. Through advocacy and collaboration, BFA empowers girls to break free from poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence. FAWE is, hence, working tirelessly to ensure that every girl can learn, lead, and thrive.

In February 2025, the BFA Ethiopia Country Team met in Addis Ababa to get an update on progress made, risk management strategies affected, and new measures being taken toward sustainability. FAWE believes every girl should be able to learn, lead, and thrive.

The BFA also provides a platform for FAWE to collaborate with other organizations, share best practices, and leverage collective expertise to drive systemic change. This collaboration is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

By strengthening partnerships and refining strategies, FAWE and BFA continue driving systemic change for gender-equitable education in Africa.

Break Free! in Burkina Faso

FAWE Burkina met with the Chief of Staff of the Ministry in charge of Youth on March 5, 2025, to discuss sustaining the Break Free! Programme while reinforcing resource mobilization for youth initiatives. This draws from the National Youth Advocacy Meeting conducted earlier on October 24, 2024.

The meeting intended to give the last touches to establishing a National Support Committee, aimed at helping fund, sustain a programme, and improve partnerships with government agencies, private stakeholders, and donors. The Break Free! Programme embarks on educating young people, more specifically girls, on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), economic opportunities, and education.

FAWE Burkina thanked the Ministry for its support, highlighting the partnership as critical to youth empowerment. Through this meeting, the partnership has set an important milestone toward ensuring a sustainable impact on the development of young people in Burkina Faso.

A Regional Commitment

From March 3rd to 6th, key partners of the Break Free Africa Program—including SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), Plan International, and Rozaria Memorial Trust—are gathering at Park Inn by Radisson, Nairobi, for a crucial Outcome Harvesting Meeting. This meeting provides a platform to review progress in lobbying and advocacy (L&A) and refine strategies to strengthen youth empowerment, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) across Africa.

Reflecting on Achievements in Lobbying & Advocacy
Since the inception of the Break Free Program, advocacy efforts have been instrumental in influencing policies and fostering youth-led change. During the meeting, partners:
✅ Take stock of milestones achieved in lobbying for SRHR and gender-responsive policies.
✅ Review best practices and challenges encountered in advocacy campaigns.
✅ Evaluate policy shifts and stakeholder engagement outcomes in targeted regions.
Strategizing for Future Impact

As the program moves forward, discussions will center around:
📌 Strengthening advocacy strategies to drive policy change at national and regional levels.
📌 Enhancing partnerships and collaboration among civil society, governments, and youth-led organizations.
📌 Aligning program goals with emerging priorities in SRHR and gender equality advocacy.

A Commitment to Lasting Change
The Break Free Africa Outcome Harvesting Meeting is not just about reflecting on past efforts—it is about refining approaches to ensure sustainable advocacy. With shared knowledge and renewed strategies, the program continues to empower young people, amplify their voices, and push for policies that uphold SRHR, gender equality, and youth rights.