How to Support Girls by Donating or Shopping Ethically

Small Loans = Big Ripple

One of the most effective ways to support girls is to support their mothers. At Zawadisha, we do this through microloans for rural Kenyan women. Every donation and every purchase from our shop funds those loans. Women use them to buy water tanks, solar lamps, and the means to start small businesses, and their daughters are often the first to feel the difference.

While water tanks and solar lamps may not sound like a girls' rights initiative, they are when you really think about who benefits from them.

As the world marked International Day of the Girl on October 11, 2026, we dug into the impact of our microlending program on girls because guess what... It's working!

What is International Day of the Girl?

International Day of the Girl is a global observance on October 11 that celebrates girls and calls for action on their rights. According to UNICEF, the 2026 theme was shaped by girls, girl-led networks, and civil society groups, and it calls on the world to end child marriage and invest in girls' rights.

The challenge is real. UNICEF estimates that about one in five girls worldwide is married before age 18, and that more than 12 million girls are married each year. But there's good news: UNICEF estimates that 68 million child marriages have been averted over the past 25 years. That progress came from keeping girls in school, expanding access to health and protection services, and working with families and communities. Change is possible when girls are supported.

Why does supporting girls start with supporting women?

Girls grow up in households, and a household's resources shape a girl's options. When a family has less to spend on water, fuel, and light, there's less time and money left for a girl's education. When a mother has a small income of her own, that changes.

This is the idea behind Zawadisha. Our name is Swahili for "to give a gift," and our work is built on a simple belief: invest in a woman, and the benefits reach her whole family.

How do microloans for women help girls?

Microloans are small loans that help people finance a livelihood or buy essentials they couldn't otherwise afford at once. At Zawadisha, our microlending program provides rural Kenyan women with household items and business essentials. Here's how the ripple plays out:

• A water tank means girls no longer have to walk to the well.
• A solar lamp means more light to study by after dark.
• A kitchen vegetable garden, watered from that tank, means a woman can earn a small income selling what she grows.
• The money saved on water and fuel gets invested in her daughters's school fees and healthcare.

One loan, and the whole family's day gets a little lighter.

How can I support girls with Zawadisha?

There are two simple ways, and both fund the same program.

1. Donate. Your gift goes toward microloans for women in rural Kenya. Zawadisha is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 46-0583426), so your donation may be tax-deductible. Make a donation here.

2. Shop ethically. Our shop sells handcrafted goods from African artisans and co-ops, including baskets, jewelry, home decor, and bath and body products. 100% of profits benefit our microlending program, and the artisans who make the pieces are paid for dignified work. Shop with impact here.

Every donation and every purchase is an investment in the lives of women and their daughters.

What makes a purchase truly "ethical"?

"Ethical" gets used loosely, so here's what to look for before you buy:

• Who made it? Look for named makers, co-ops, or artisan groups, not vague "handmade" claims.
• Where does the money go? Ask what share of proceeds supports the mission, and whether it's stated clearly.
• Is the organization transparent? A registered nonprofit with a public EIN is easy to verify.
• Is the work dignified? Fair, steady pay matters more than a feel-good label or a bargain price tag.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to support girls in developing countries?

Evidence-backed approaches include keeping girls in school, expanding access to health and protection services, and challenging harmful norms (according to UNICEF). Supporting their mothers' livelihoods is a complementary approach, because it increases household resources that families can invest in daughters.

Does shopping ethically really help?

It does when the seller is transparent about where proceeds go. At Zawadisha, 100% of profits fund our microlending program in Kenya, and our artisans earn dignified employment.

Are donations to Zawadisha tax-deductible?

Zawadisha is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations may be tax-deductible in the United States. Consult your tax advisor for your situation.

Who runs Zawadisha?

Zawadisha is run by a team of women in the US and Kenya. We've served thousands of women and worked with hundreds of artisans for more than a decade.

What does "Zawadisha" mean?

It's Swahili for "to give a gift."

Stand with girls this week

Girls don't need a single big gesture. They need steady, practical support for the people around them. Donate or shop, and you're helping fund the water, the light, and the opportunity.

Statistics from UNICEF's International Day of the Girl 2026.