Good health makes all things possible.

Global G.L.O.W. is all about making girls and their communities stronger in every way—which is why Healthy GLOW focuses on sexual, reproductive, and emotional health with a strong emphasis on healthy relationships.

Health issues can be enormous—and sometimes overwhelming—barriers for girls all over the world. Lack of access to sexual and reproductive health information and care can prevent girls from attending school regularly—impacting not just their ability to be at their best physically, but also their ability to learn, grow, and receive necessary educational and social support at a crucial time in their lives.

Girls should be in school—period.

One of the most common reasons that a girl misses school is because of her period. And the number one goal of our Healthy GLOW program is to change that.

The statistics are staggering. A UNESCO report estimates that one out of every 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their periods. The Guardian reports that in Kenya, a majority (a shocking 65%) of women and girls do have access to sanitary pads. In India, 20% of girls drop out of school after reaching puberty, and in Nepal and Afghanistan, 30% of girls miss school during their menstrual cycle. When we talked to the girls in our programs in 2018, they confirmed this huge need and Healthy GLOW was created as a direct response.

“In class one day I began my menstruation. Fear poured over me. I began to have a negative attitude towards myself.”

Global G.L.O.W. Focus Group, Kenya, 2018

Menstrual hygiene issues, and the interruptions to education that they cause, can put girls far behind their male classmates—up to 145 days behind.

But we believe that every girl should have the opportunity to complete primary and secondary school at the same pace as her peers.

By making girls’ health and wellness a priority, and by working alongside girls to help identify the obstacles they face and support them in overcoming those obstacles.

Our Healthy GLOW program uses evidence-based programming to create more positive outcomes for girls across the globe and allows them to receive the equitable education they deserve.

As with all Global G.L.O.W. programs,

Healthy GLOW works not only to give girls the knowledge they need to live healthy lives, but the skills and confidence to advocate for their own health and well-being. We do this by creating a safe space to assist girls and their mentors in exploring sexual and reproductive health, including:

Foundations for good relationships

Knowledge of anatomy and their own body autonomy

Menstrual health and hygiene

We studied health-centered curricula from schools and communities all over the world

including Australia, Canada, Kenya, Scotland, and the United States—as well as trusted web-based resources, when we began designing Healthy GLOW. Then we tested pilot programs at several sites—including Cambodia, Kenya, and California in the United States—before refining and perfecting our original offerings to create the current Healthy GLOW program.

That’s why we feel confident that the skills, knowledge, and support that girls find through Healthy GLOW will allow them to make better, healthier choices for themselves, help them create healthier relationships with their communities, and put them on a positive path to secondary school graduation and post-graduation success.

“I have benefited immensely from being a participant in [Global G.L.O.W.]. I value all the support from my mentor. She taught me to face challenges on my own, be optimistic, strong and more resilient.”

–Aurole, Rwanda