Across Africa, millions of girls are growing up with dreams as big as their courage. Yet, for too many, those dreams are cut short by a reality no girl should face, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). It is a crisis that steals childhoods, silences voices, and locks girls out of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
SGBV is not just an act of violence against an individual; it is a profound violation of human rights that reverberates across families, schools, and entire communities. It forces girls out of classrooms, fuels teenage pregnancies, increases vulnerability to HIV, and limits their future economic potential. Left unaddressed, it threatens to perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality for generations.
At Tiko, we believe every girl deserves to grow up safe, healthy, and empowered to choose her own path. That is why our work on SGBV is rooted in one principle: putting girls at the centre.
We know that disjointed service coordination often prevents survivors from seeking help. Many fear judgment, rejection, or retaliation by perpetrators and accomplices. To break these barriers, Tiko uses technology-driven solutions that are designed with girls, for girls. Through our digital platforms, girls can confidentially connect to survivor centered, trusted, youth-friendly services, whether that means counselling, healthcare, legal support, or safe spaces which promotes their healing, dignity and hope actively restored.
But we also know that ending SGBV cannot happen in isolation. Violence is tied to the “triple threat” of unintended pregnancy, HIV, and gender inequality. That’s why Tiko’s model integrates health, education, and economic opportunities, recognising that when girls have the tools to stay in school, access healthcare, and pursue livelihoods, they are more resilient to violence and exploitation.
One young girl shared with us how she had felt trapped after experiencing sexual violence in her own community. Afraid to speak out, she struggled with isolation and self-blame. When she discovered Tiko’s services, she found not only medical care but also a safe space where her voice was heard and her dignity restored. Today, she is back in school, determined to build a different future.
Her story is just one among many and it reminds us that when girls are safe, they are empowered to reclaim control over their lives.
Tiko’s commitment goes beyond connecting girls to services. We are working alongside governments, civil society, and communities to strengthen systems that prevent violence and support survivors. By fostering partnerships, we amplify our reach and ensure that solutions are sustainable and scalable.
Rose Muthee, Tiko’s SGBV Technical lead explains:
“Gender-based violence requires more than just services. It requires changing mindsets, strengthening support systems, and ensuring every girl knows she has a right to safety and dignity. At Tiko, we are not only protecting girls; we are building a movement that places their voices at the heart of solutions. Already, we have connected over 4,623 girls this year to survivor-centred and trauma-informed care, with many returning to school and rebuilding their lives. Every girl reached is a life reclaimed, a dream restored, and a future made possible.”
Her words capture the heart of our mission: ensuring no girl walks alone on the path to safety and empowerment.
The fight against SGBV is not one organisation’s responsibility, it is a shared mission that requires governments, families, communities, and global allies to act with urgency. Every girl’s safety is a collective responsibility, and every investment in her protection is an investment in a brighter, more equal future.
At Tiko, we see a future where no girl is silenced by violence. A future where she can walk to school without fear, access healthcare with dignity, and dream without limits. But to reach that future, we must continue breaking the silence, challenging harmful norms, and strengthening systems that protect and empower.
When we protect girls from violence, we unlock their potential. When we invest in their safety, we strengthen communities. And when we stand with girls, we build a future where equality, dignity, and opportunity are not privileges, but rights.
Tiko is proud to be part of this global movement to end SGBV. Together, we can ensure that every girl not only survives, but thrives.