Secure Futures

The Secure Futures programme aims to empower pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers to exercise their rights. The programme combines local and global expertise from a range of partners to co-create holistic, girl-centred programmes and tools that address the full range of needs of the participants. We provide life skills education, sports, psychosocial support, referral services and economic empowerment opportunities for participants while also engaging male partners and shifting community narratives about early pregnancy and young mothers.

The Need

Pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers from underserved communities are a particularly marginalised group. They face a wide range of challenges to their health, safety, education and livelihoods. With climate change, natural disasters, conflict, forced migration, or other crises like COVID-19 exacerbating issues such as school dropout, domestic violence, and access to health services, early pregnancies are on the rise in many contexts. This stark reality calls for interventions that remove socioeconomic barriers and break the cycle of vulnerability that traps young mothers and often their children.

Starting in 2024, thanks to the foundational support from Nationale Postcode Loterij, we are building on the pilot’s learnings and successes to scale up Secure Futures.

Secure Futures was piloted in Nairobi, Kenya, by Vijana Amani Pamoja, Population Council Kenya, Women Win and Mom in Balance. We targeted pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers without a safe or secure place to live. 807 participants were reached with sports and life skills activities, with 527 continuing on entrepreneurship and employability pathways. The programme had a profound impact on the participants’ lives by building confidence and knowledge; strengthening psychosocial well-being; and creating economic opportunities.

The Power of Partnership

The success of Secure Futures lies in the power of the partnership. The programme is a collaborative effort between global organisations, private sector partners and community-based organisations.

During the initial implementation period Secure Futures is delivered by three implementing partners, with technical and capacity building support from Mom in Balance and Women Win. These implementing organisations are long-term partners of Women Win’s and their work around girls’ rights, sports and community engagement is world-leading. They are:

• Asociación AMA in Guatemala,
• Empodera in Brazil, and
• Vijana Amani Pamoja in Kenya.

Asociación AMA

Asociación AMA promotes the integral development and rights of adolescent girls and young women. Their mission is to strengthen the leadership of girls, adolescents and young women in Petén, Guatemala, through educational processes and advocacy to prevent early pregnancies and gender violence.

AMA’s is work is carried out through the promotion of leadership, access to education and information, capacity building, democratic participation, sustainable economic development and dialogue.

Empodera

Founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2017, Empodera is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the rights of girls and women and advancing gender equity through sports. A reference in Brazil, Empodera is recognized by UN Women and the International Olympic Committee as a Center of Excellence in sports programs for gender equity and the empowerment of girls and women. The organisation operates in three main areas: direct implementation of programs and projects; development of sports methodologies; and technical support for other organisations.

Girls and women face various barriers, such as gender, race, and social class inequalities, among others, which hinder or prevent them from accessing and staying in sports. However, sports can be a powerful tool for deconstructing stereotypes and empowering girls and women. Through sports, they challenge gender norms, become more aware of their bodies, and develop leadership and other essential skills such as communication, confidence, resilience, and self-esteem. Sports practice is combined with the discussion of key topics for the empowerment of girls: Menstrual health and dignity; Sexual and reproductive rights; Girls’ rights; Racial identity; Combating violence against women and racism; Future planning.

Vijana Amani Pamoja

Step into the dynamic world of Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP), a trailblazing non-profit that emerged in 2003 with a passion for unleashing the transformative force of sports to uplift Kenyan Youth and the vulnerable communities. Beyond the ordinary, VAP strides boldly in the realms of social impact, health, economic empowerment, and education. Picture a vibrant tapestry where the youth take center stage, navigating a journey enriched with life skills, sexual and reproductive health education, HIV Awareness, parenting insights, mental health support, and income-generating ventures.

VAP’s innovative model not only imparts essential life skills but seamlessly integrates them into pathways of employability and entrepreneurship, opening doors to meaningful employment and sustainable income. Rooted in Accountability, Equity and Equality, Commitment to Partnership and unwavering Integrity. VAP’s core values drive a mission that’s as exciting as it is impactful.

Mom in Balance – Pink Band Movement

The Pink Band Movement, powered by Mom in Balance, is a global initiative dedicated to empowering women through sports and community. At the heart of this movement is the Pink sports band, a symbol of strength and unity. By using the Pink Band, women not only prioritise their own physical and mental well-being but also actively support charitable projects like the Secure Futures initiative, which uplifts women in vulnerable situations. Together, through the power of sport and community, the movement drives a meaningful, lasting change in communities globally.

Secure Futures is powered by the funding from the Dutch Postcode Lottery