Since we began, our human rights-based education program has reached more than five million people across eight African countries.
women have been selected into leadership positions in their communities, with many running for public office
people live in communities that publicly declared their intention to end female genital cutting
communities have publicly declared that their daughters will not marry before the age of 18
The Tostan Model
Our three-year, non-formal education program puts rural communities in charge of their own futures. We support our partner communities to define and fulfil their own vision for wellbeing, allowing them to create positive and lasting social transformation. Our approach is:
HUMAN RIGHTS BASED
Knowledge of human rights and responsibilities forms the foundation for learning
RESPECTFUL & INCLUSIVE
Information is shared in a non-judgmental and participatory way, using local languages
HOLISTIC & SUSTAINABLE
The program has impact across multiple issues, with sustainability at its core
Meet the New Leaders of the Breakthrough Generation
Watch and listen as a new generation of young women and girls talk about the impact of Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program on their lives and communities. These young women now feel empowered to speak and build their future with confidence; they are a generation of new leaders in full bloom.
News and Stories
Choosing a World Free from Female Genital Cutting: Aissata’s True Story
This is the true story of Aissata, who was was cut when she was seven years old. Like many girls and women all over the world, she experienced the often devastating consequences of female genital cutting (FGC). Years after undergoing the practice, Aissata's community...
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Women Leaders on the Rise in The Gambia
A cycle of empowerment and leadership is rising in West Africa - and it is led by women. Read on to learn more about the inspiring women leading with dignity in The Gambia, thanks to the confidence they gained through Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program. In 2017,...
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On the ‘CUSP’ of scale: Tostan proud to participate in the ‘Community for Understanding Scale Up’
Tostan participates in the Community for Understanding Scale Up (CUSP), a global coalition of NGOs known for their impact in social norms change, violence prevention and women's empowerment. Other coalition members include: the Salamander Trust; Puntos de Encuentro;...
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