Partners International Meeting: How can we better support girls in street situations?

From 13 to 18 October 2025, we brought together our international partners working with children in street situations for a meeting in Dakar, Senegal. Dedicated to supporting girls in street situations, this gathering offered a unique space for reflection and co-construction, with the aim of strengthening the support provided to them within care and protection systems. 

A Shared Challenge: Making the Care of Girls Possible and Equitable 

In many contexts, mixed-gender reception within shelters and centres remains a complex issue. Structures specifically dedicated to girls remain rare, particularly within programmes for children in street situations. Educational teams often highlight the challenges of reaching out to girls, the lack of appropriate training, and limited resources to address their specific needs, including protection from violence, access to sexual and reproductive health services, and socio-professional integration. 

As one educator said:

 “We must see the world through the eyes of these young girls, honour both their courage and their vulnerabilities, and offer them the freedom to speak without being stigmatised. Supporting girls also means taking into account the complexity of their environment.”

“Family, cultural and social contexts weigh heavily: many problems come from the family, but so do many solutions. It is essential to better support families while recognising the interdependence of all needs.” 

added one participant. 

A Space for Exchange and Collective Learning 

Over five days, 25 participants, including centre directors, service managers and social workers from ten countries (Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Madagascar, Tanzania, Peru and France) came together to share their experiences and develop new tools to better support girls in street situations. The aim was to jointly build more inclusive approaches, grounded in the recognition of girls' rights and specific needs, while strengthening the capacities of local teams. 

One participant summed up the spirit of the gathering: 

“What I hope from this meeting is that everyone shares their own methods so that we can all learn from one another.” 

For another, the challenge goes beyond simply exchanging tools: 

“We often work in urgency and emotion, and it can feel lonely. Thanks to this community, we feel much more energy.” 

Another professional also highlighted the importance of collective dynamics in decision-making: 

“When you work as a team, it’s easier, you can exchange ideas before taking a decision.” 

Beyond the exchange of experiences, this meeting marks an important step in building a shared vision and a stronger network of actors committed to advancing girls’ rights and gender equality. By bringing together their voices and experiences, our partners are helping to improve practices and advance the rights of all children in street situations.