SKY FEST 2025: A SISTERHOOD 0F THOUSANDS OF TEEN GIRLS GATHERS FOR EMPOWERMENT

SKY Girls, Kenya’s leading platform for empowering teen girls, is ready to ignite the potential within every girl with the upcoming SKY Fest 2025 taking place in Nairobi on March 1st and for the first time in Kisumu on April 12th.

For Veronicah Kombe, it’s about seeing her daughter thrive. “My daughter gets to be in a safe space with her friends, learning, creating, and having fun,” she says of her 12-year-old. “SKY Girls gives her the confidence to make the right choices for her future, and that’s priceless.”

“SKY Girls is on a mission: to ensure every girl has the chance to shine.” Says Svetlana Polikarpova, Director of SKY Girls Kenya Initiative. “We’ve already impacted nearly a million lives, but our journey continues. We believe in the power of sisterhood, connecting girls across Kenya so they can support, learn, and grow together. Since the launch of SKY Girls Initiative, they have seen a 54% reduction in adolescent girls’ cigarette usage and a 67% increase in girls’ ability to reduce peer pressure. We know we’re making a difference. We aim to continue reaching more girls and embracing new communities. Their potential is limitless and we’re here to help them unlock it.”

THE MOVEMENT THAT’S CHANGING THE GAME
SKY Girls empowers teens through inspiration, not lectures. By creating content with them, they help them make informed decisions about their bodies, their health, and their futures, addressing critical issues like early pregnancy, cervical cancer, and smoking.

The real story of SKY Girls isn’t just in the programmes; it’s in the impact.

● Imagine a girl equipped with the facts to prevent HIV: SKY Girls are 19% more likely to have correct knowledge about HIV and AIDS
● Picture another girl navigating the complexities of relationships, now believing she has the right to say “no” to sexual pressure. That’s an 18% increase in girls who believe resisting sexual pressure is the norm – a crucial step towards healthy relationships
● It’s the girl, surrounded by peers smoking cigarettes, who chooses a different path –  A 54% decrease in cigarette usage among SKY’s audience since the programme was launched. These aren’t just numbers; they’re stories of girls taking control. And the most powerful story of all? This isn’t just about saying “no”; it’s about having the inner strength to mean it.

SKY Girls partners with organizations like the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, LVCT, and the DREAMS program to provide year-round support for girls. This includes collaborating with the Africa Cancer Foundation, UNICEF, and First Lady Dorothy Nyong’o on the HPV vaccine drive.

“Mentorship is such a critical component for the holistic development of teenage girls.” Says Eric Gitau aka MaqC, Family Planning Expert, SKY Girls Initiative. “During adolescence, girls face unique challenges, including navigating self-esteem, peer pressure, and societal expectations. Programmes like SKY Girls KE are vital in bringing this kind of mentorship and guidance by connecting girls with positive role models and empowering them to make informed decisions about their health, education, and future. This is so important in enhancing the mental and emotional well-being of girls and equipping them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

SKY is all about giving young girls the tools to level up their life. They’re dishing straight talk on health (including sexual health and the HPV vaccine), resisting peer pressure (especially regarding vaping and smoking), and pursuing passions. Their festival features performances, speakers, and engaging activities like the SKY Board Game, plus a free SKY Magazine, all focussed on helping young women succeed.