Mind the Gap was a powerful, survivor-centered mental health and wellness forum hosted in Los Angeles by Girls Talk Organisation in partnership with Jenesse Center. Designed for girls and young women ages 13–25, the forum created a brave, healing space for those impacted by sexual and gender-based violence, domestic abuse, and intergenerational trauma—centering culturally responsive, trauma-informed care rooted in community. This event was made possible through the collaboration of incredible community partners, including WriteGirl, Roots of South LA, and The Collective Identity Mentoring, as well as Black Women for Wellness. Through grounding and trust-building exercises, a main-stage conversation unpacking the stigma of trauma and survival, healing circles, journaling, and anxiety toolkits, as well as a vibrant community resource fair, Mind the Gap affirmed that healing does not happen in isolation. This video captures moments of reflection, courage, and collective care—highlighting the power of community-led healing and the importance of investing in the mental well-being of Black and Brown girls and young women. 💜 Healing is a right. 💜 Community is care. 💜 Our voices matter.

This #MenstrualHygieneDay, we spotlight our outreach in Challa Village, North Bank Region, where 15 incredible girls gathered to learn, share, and reclaim the narrative around their periods. This year, we did more than distribute—we taught. As part of our growing Self Love Kits project (now reaching over 500 girls), the girls not only received menstrual and self-care items, but also learned how to make reusable pads themselves. Because true empowerment means giving girls the skills, not just the supplies. 💪🏾💖 At Girls Talk, we’re breaking period stigma and building confidence—one village at a time. 🩷🌍

Girls Talk Organisation was founded in 2018 in The Gambia with a bold and urgent mission: to create a world where every girl feels seen, heard, and safe. Born from the passion of a young woman who refused to stay silent in the face of inequality, our work began by opening spaces for girls to speak freely, gain access to life-changing education, and live free from violence, shame, and harm.​ From schoolyards and village circles to digital platforms and national conversations, our movement grew, built on sisterhood, advocacy, and a deep belief in the power of girls to change their lives and lead their communities. ​In 2025, Girls Talk expanded to the United States, marking a new chapter in our story, one rooted in cross-continental solidarity, shared learning, and collective healing. Our presence in the U.S. deepens our commitment to supporting girls through mental health advocacy, leadership development, and community education. ​What began as a local call for justice has become a global movement amplifying girl-led voices, building youth power, and pushing for systemic change. Whether in a classroom in Banjul or a community center in Los Angeles, our purpose remains the same: to empower girls to rise, lead, and transform the world around them.

Join Girls Talk Organisation in Wassu and Janjanbureh as we engage communities in powerful conversations to end Child Marriage and FGM. Through intergenerational dialogues and interactive workshops, we bring together young girls, parents, religious leaders, and community members to challenge harmful norms, promote girls' rights, and drive lasting change. Watch as voices unite to break the cycle of harmful traditions and create a future where every girl can thrive!

Watch highlights from the Project Leadify Bootcamp, where 20 inspiring young women gathered for an intensive two-day workshop designed to enhance their political awareness and leadership skills. Held from November 2023, this immersive experience provided participants with essential knowledge on political processes, advocacy strategies, and the importance of women’s involvement in politics. During the bootcamp, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions, hands-on activities, and interactive sessions with experts, equipping them with the tools to become active participants in governance and drive meaningful change in their communities. This video showcases their journey, learning moments, and the impactful skills they gained to shape their future roles as leaders and advocates.

As the world marks another International Day of Zero for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we take a moment to reflect on our community engagement efforts aimed at eradicating this harmful practice. With countless pledges to protect girls from FGM and other threats to their wellbeing, our commitment remains steadfast. We pledge to persistently invest our resources in ending female genital mutilation within our generation.

The knowledge we provide our mentees is aimed at helping them understand their rights and work with us to combat harmful traditional practices and sexual and gender-based violence. Watch an inspiring video from our mentorship program earlier this year. The project is funded by UNICEF!

A core part of our work is ensuring that we reach out to communities to not only educate them on the effects of harmful traditional practices such as FGM and Child Marriage but to also listen, learn and bring our thoughts together on better ways to eradicate these practices. We had such an exciting time in Soma, listening intensively to community stakeholders and engaging them on best practices to protect women and girls. This project was funded by UNICEF!

Education enables girls to: ✅challenge discriminatory gender norms. ✅advance their skills, knowledge, and power. ✅achieve their dreams and fulfil their potential.