YTF Website: GirlsRock!

The last five decades of continuous internal conflict and violence have resulted in over six million people to be displaced or forced from their homes in Colombia, disproportionately impacting women and children. Many children are living in unsafe, violent communities and are at real risk of being forced into armed warfare, crime, sexual abuse and exploitation, early marriage, and violence.

GirlsRock! integrates real and relevant issues in health, personal safety, and reproductive rights through the use of technology and teaches technology skills that empower girls to better understand issues that can negatively affect them. Both result in increased confidence and personal empowerment.

In Soacha, 30 percent of displaced girls ages 13-19 have been pregnant at least once. The minimum age for marriage in Colombia is 12 years for girls and 14 years for boys. Child marriages and early pregnancies have a serious detrimental effect on the health, education, and development of young girls. These are violations of the UN Committee of the Rights of the Child and of Colombia’s girls and women.

GirlsRock! is for girls ages 12-20. Girls learn how to use technology to research, document, and disseminate information on issues related to sexual abuse, exploitation, reproductive rights, sexually-transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, teen sex trafficking, and adolescent pregnancy. It improves academic performance, competencies (communication, teamwork, time management, problem solving, and confidence), and positive learning attitudes through the use of e-learning and digital research tools. It promotes emotional well-being and intellectual growth for girls to take ownership and responsibility of their lives in a learning environment that fosters no bias in attitudes towards girls. Through YTF’s innovative curriculum, they learn how to use technology to create positive change.