Empowering grandmothers for children's education

Grandmother Project (GMP) promotes the rights, well-being, and education of women and children, particularly girls, by recognizing and strengthening the important contribution of grandmothers in African communities. Through its Change through Culture approach, GMP draws on local traditions, knowledge, and relationships to help communities develop solutions that are meaningful and sustainable.

 Grandmothers as Partners in Education

Across many African societies, grandmothers have long been important sources of care, guidance, and wisdom. Their responsibilities often extend beyond their immediate families, as they contribute to the upbringing of children within the wider community. This tradition reflects the belief that “It takes a village to raise a child.”

GMP seeks to bring this valuable resource more fully into children’s education. By building grandmothers’ knowledge and communication skills, the program helps them become trusted educational mentors and advocates, particularly for girls. Working alongside parents, teachers, and community leaders, grandmothers can reinforce the importance of schooling, encourage regular attendance, and offer guidance when children face difficulties.

Helping Girls Remain in School

Adolescence present significant challenges to girls’ education particularly in rural areas. Teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and Female Genital Mutilations (FGM) may interrupt schooling and reduce future opportunities. GMP therefore helps grandmothers engage more confidently with girls about education, adolescence, relationships, reproductive health, and their aspirations.

Intergenerational dialogue and training enable grandmothers to provide appropriate advice and emotional support while creating opportunities for girls to speak openly about their concerns. This trusted relationship can help girls make informed choices, remain committed to their education, and plan for their futures.

What the 2025 Study Shows

GMP’s 2025 study on teenage pregnancy, based on interviews with 230 community members, teachers, and girls, provides evidence of progress.

The study found that:

• Grandmothers had improved their understanding of teenage-pregnancy risks.
• They felt more at ease discussing reproductive health with adolescent girls.
• Girls reported increased confidence and decision-making ability.
• Girls considered stronger relationships with grandmothers an important factor in avoiding pregnancy.
• Mothers are now communicating more openly and supportively with their daughters.

The findings underline the value of equipping grandmothers with the information and skills they need to guide girls during adolescence. Their support can complement the work of families and schools and help girls remain engaged in learning.

Grandmothers Supporting Positive Change

The experience of Badiara village, near the Senegal–Gambia border, illustrates how grandmothers can also contribute to community learning. In 2025, residents gathered to examine FGM, discussing its origins, beliefs, and consequences. Grandmothers participated alongside parents, youth, religious leaders, and health workers.

GMP encouraged participants to reflect rather than prescribe a particular answer. Through respectful discussion and access to new information, community members began to question harmful assumptions and reconsider practices affecting girls.

Grandmother Fatou expressed this change simply: “We remember women who suffered in silence. Now we understand why. It is time to end this.”

The experience demonstrates that grandmothers can help families understand difficult issues, pass on positive knowledge, and encourage decisions that protect children and support their futures.

 Building a Stronger Education Partnership

GMP does not seek to replace parents or teachers. Instead, it adds the knowledge, experience, and influence of grandmothers to the education support system. They can encourage children, reinforce positive messages from schools, provide guidance at home, and help parents communicate more effectively with adolescents.

When families, schools, elders, and communities share responsibility for children’s development, girls are more likely to receive the consistent support they need to remain in school and succeed.

In December 2025, GMP received one of three awards from Senegal’s National Commission on Human Rights recognizing organizations that promote and protect children’s rights. The recognition highlights the relevance of GMP’s culturally grounded approach to strengthening families and improving children’s lives.

 Grandmother Project’s key message

Grandmothers can be powerful partners in children’s education. When they are equipped with knowledge, confidence, and effective communication skills, they can mentor girls, encourage school attendance, help families overcome challenges, and support children in reaching their full potential.