Every year on International Women’s Day, the world recognizes the strength, resilience, and achievements of women and girls. The 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights an important truth: when girls support each other, share knowledge, and uplift others, everyone benefits.
At Thriving Teens Foundation, we believe that every adolescent girl and young woman has the ability to make a difference. You do not need wealth, fame, or influence to create change. Often, simple acts of giving can transform the lives of others while also strengthening your own confidence and sense of purpose.
What Does “Give to Gain” Mean?
“Give to Gain” is not only about financial giving. For adolescents and young women, giving can take many different forms. It can include encouraging a friend who feels discouraged, sharing knowledge with someone who is struggling in school, offering kindness to someone who feels alone, speaking up to protect someone who is being treated unfairly, or supporting conversations about girls’ health, education, and safety.
When girls give in these ways, they often gain valuable things in return. These may include stronger friendships, leadership skills, greater confidence, and a clearer understanding of their role in building stronger communities.
Why Girls Supporting Girls Matters
Adolescence is a period of learning, growth, and self-discovery. It can also be a time when girls face many challenges such as peer pressure, gender stereotypes, limited access to accurate health information, or barriers to education and services.
When girls support each other, they help create networks of encouragement and strength.
A girl who shares study materials with a classmate may help her succeed in school. A young woman who speaks openly about menstrual health may help reduce stigma and misinformation. A friend who encourages another girl to seek medical care may help protect her health and wellbeing.
Small acts of support can have meaningful and lasting effects.
The Strength of Young Women
Young women often underestimate the influence they already have in their families, schools, and communities. However, many adolescents and young women are already contributing in important ways.
Across many communities, including Nairobi, young women are leading peer education initiatives, advocating for improved health services, supporting younger girls in school, and organizing youth-focused community activities.
These actions may appear simple, but they play an important role in building healthier communities and creating opportunities for the next generation of girls.
Ways to Practice “Give to Gain”
Adolescent girls and young women can practice the message of “Give to Gain” in everyday life through practical actions.
Sharing knowledge is one important step. When you learn something useful about health, education, or personal development, sharing it can help others make informed decisions.
Supporting friends is another powerful way to give. Listening to someone who is going through a difficult time can make a significant difference in their life.
Being a positive role model also matters. Younger girls often look up to older adolescents for guidance and inspiration.
Speaking up when something is unfair or harmful is another form of giving. Respectful advocacy can help challenge harmful beliefs and create safer environments for girls.
Finally, taking care of your own health and wellbeing is essential. When young women prioritize their mental, physical, and emotional health, they become stronger and better able to support others.
When Girls Rise Together
The true meaning of “Give to Gain” becomes clear when girls choose collaboration instead of competition.
Rather than focusing only on individual success, girls can support each other to achieve shared goals. When girls uplift one another, confidence grows, opportunities expand, and communities become stronger.
A Message to Every Girl Reading This
Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your kindness matters.
Even when the impact of your actions is not immediately visible, positive choices such as encouraging a friend, sharing knowledge, or offering support contribute to meaningful change.
This International Women’s Day, remember that when girls give support, knowledge, and encouragement to one another, everyone gains.
Together we can create a future where every girl has the opportunity not only to overcome challenges, but also to grow, lead, and thrive.
