Why to Design Programs with Girls in Mind?

A human rights–based approach to programming means always centering human rights standards — the universal, holistic, inalienable, indivisible rights and freedoms of every individual — and paying conscious, systematic attention to them. This approach emphasizes not only the outcomes or outputs achieved after implementation, but also the process itself, valuing every step taken along the way.

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The girl-centered program design process takes three to five months and consists of two main phases:

  • Phase 1: Preparation
    • Step 1: Forming a Working Group
    • Step 2: Situation Analysis
    • Step 3: Capacity and Gap Analysis
    • Step 4: Stakeholder Mapping
  • Phase 2: Programming
    • Step 1: Where should we start with? Prioritization
    • Step 2: Setting Goals, Outputs, and Outcomes
    • Step 3: Developing a Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Preparation: Situation and Needs Assessment

During the preparation stage, the current situation is assessed by looking at objectives, expectations, available resources, needs, and how these can be mobilized. This stage aims to realistically and collaboratively develop a roadmap aligned with your organization’s capabilities. The preparation process generally takes about one and a half month, though this duration can be shortened or extended based on need.

Step 1: Forming a Working Group
Step 2: Situation Analysis
Step 3: Capacity and Gap Analysis
Step 4: Stakeholder Mapping

Programming

In order for your organization to have a girl-focused program that will “contribute to girls feeling better and safer,” or to make existing or planned programs girl-focused, you have identified what is needed — through the situation and capacity analysis — it is time to embed these findings into your program structure, design it, and plan the activities and resources.

The programming stage generally involves five key activities and takes about 2 to 3 months, depending on your organization’s needs.

Step 1: Where should we start with? Prioritization
Step 2: Setting Goals, Outputs, and Outcomes
Step 3: Developing a Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan