Unleash women and girls’ true potential across Africa: an Interview with Trizah Gakwa
NAIROBI, Kenya (3 March 2025) - Today, we’re excited to welcome Trizah Gakwa as the new Program Manager at Be That Girl Foundation! Drawing on years of experience leading survivor-focused programs and driving women’s rights advocacy across Africa, Trizah brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record of community-driven impact.
In this interview, she shares her vision for empowering women and girls, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how she plans to help shape Be That Girl’s future.
Get ready to be inspired by Trizah’s passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication to creating a brighter, more equitable future.
1. Embracing the New Challenge
Trizah, we are delighted to speak with you today. You officially join Be That Girl Foundation as our new Program Manager, marking the foundation’s second full-time hire after the CEO. What excites you most about starting this new chapter in your career?
Thank you. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to impact the lives of more women and girls across the continent. Working with Be That Girl will allow me to reach communities I haven’t even visited yet, which will deepen my understanding of what women’s empowerment truly means in these varied contexts.
I’m also excited to learn from the wisdom of the women we serve. Additionally, building thought leadership for Be That Girl is a priority - so we can share best practices with other practitioners and continue to grow the organization’s impact.
You have had a long career in philanthropy. What made Be That Girl stand out to you as a place where you can grow and achieve meaningful impact as a leader?
I love the organization’s vision of supporting women and girls to lead self-determined lives. That idea resonates deeply with me. I also admire the 360-degree approach - recognizing there are countless factors that contribute to a woman’s ability to thrive, and focusing on several of them at the same time.
Finally, Be That Girl is doing this important work across multiple countries in Africa. That continental scope offers a real chance to learn, contribute, and scale innovative solutions.
Be That Girl Foundation’s mission aligns closely with your previous work at Freely in Hope. How do you envision contributing to this vision in a new and impactful way?
There are several parallels between my previous work and the mission of Be That Girl Foundation, though the focus isn’t exactly the same. I see my contributions rooted in my lived experience as an African woman, which gives me a deep understanding of local contexts and cultural nuances.
My background working with survivors of sexual violence and gender-based violence has also shaped the way I approach designing interventions, ensuring they address the real needs of communities.
Additionally, over the years I have built strong networks and partnerships with organizations doing complementary work, and I hope to leverage these relationships to foster collective impact.
2. Defining Success & Personal Motivation
Trizah, stepping into this role as Program Manager at Be That Girl Foundation carries significant responsibilities - from building strategic programs to ensuring lasting community impact.
How do you define success for this position, and what keeps you personally motivated to continue championing women and girls across Africa?
Success hinges on designing and implementing programs that are genuinely relevant to each community. Challenges facing women and girls can appear similar across the board, but important nuances require tailored solutions.
I also hope to consistently measure and evaluate our outcomes so we can continue strengthening and innovating. Ultimately, success means thought leadership - influencing broader policy and sharing our findings so that more women and girls benefit.
Your career has largely focused on advocating for women and girls. Looking back, which moments or experiences were most pivotal in shaping this commitment?
A defining moment was the birth of my daughter, Wendo, whose name means “love” in my language. It forced me to question the world I was bringing her into.
I asked myself, “What can I do to create a safer, more equitable world for her and other girls?” That personal realization transformed my professional focus and galvanized me to work on behalf of women and girls everywhere.
Also, you’ve led programs for women and girls facing systemic challenges. What drives you to keep pushing for change?
My father, a university lecturer in gender and development, once told me that research shows it would take at least another 150 years to achieve gender equality. That idea stuck with me. I see how far we’ve come but also how much work remains - especially with issues like femicide in some regions or the ongoing fight against harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM).
Take Gambia, for example, where a bill to overturn the country’s ban on FGM recently made it through two readings in parliament before ultimately being rejected. Even so, the fact that it advanced so far is alarming. I’ve seen data showing that as of 2020, 73% of women in the country had experienced FGM. This stark reality underscores that the gains we’ve made can still be fragile.
I want to do my part and move the needle each day. I genuinely believe that a world where women and girls have full autonomy - and where harmful practices are decisively ended - makes life better for everyone.
3. The Role of Philanthropy in Driving Change
We’ve heard about the personal experiences that fuel your commitment to women’s empowerment, from the birth of your daughter to confronting systemic barriers head-on. Now, let’s zoom out to the broader ecosystem of giving and advocacy.
In your view, what pivotal role do funders like Be That Girl Foundation play in fostering genuine, long-term change for women and girls across the continent?
First and foremost, it’s vital for both funders and implementing organizations to recognize that we share the same goal: impact. With that alignment, our relationship can be one of mutual respect and collaboration.
Some funders focus on financial resources, while others provide leadership development or capacity building. In either case, it’s crucial that all of our work remains community-led so that we address genuine needs and learn continuously. Our primary goal is to build resilience and sustainability in the communities we serve so that they can become self-sufficient.
How can private funders ensure that the voices of women and girls remain central in the decision-making process?
Participatory decision-making is essential. We need to collect real-time feedback directly from the women and girls affected, spend time in the field, and involve them in program design. Beyond that, we should be building their capacity to become leaders rather than mere beneficiaries. When you elevate local voices, the work becomes truly transformative.
Many interventions offer only short-term fixes. How is it possible to ensure lasting impact?
People should shift their mindset from counting activities to measuring impact. It’s easy to tally up the number of grants or participants, but we need to consider how lives have changed. This relies on monitoring and evaluation - tracking long-term outcomes, such as changes in income or education, not just immediate outputs. And to my earlier point, sustainable impact strongly depends on collaboration and co-creation with the community.
Therefore, how crucial are monitoring and evaluation frameworks in ensuring sustained progress?
They’re absolutely critical. We can’t just measure outputs - like the number of women who attended a workshop.
We have to track long-term outcomes (for instance, changes in income or job status) and then act on those findings to keep innovating. The learnings from the data we collect can help us advocate for systemic change at a community and policy level, making greater gains in championing girls and women’s rights.
How can funders balance the need for strategic planning with human-centered work that truly supports women and girls?
These are not mutually exclusive. We have to co-create strategies with the women and girls we’re trying to help, spending time gathering feedback and co-designing solutions. This is more time-consuming, but it’s worth it. We also need to build capacity so communities transition from reliance on external support to a place of autonomy.
4. How to lead change
We’ve delved into how funders and community stakeholders can unite for lasting impact. Now, let’s pivot to the personal leadership qualities behind these efforts. You’ve got a rich background spanning leadership, program development, and advocacy. What is leadership in this sector and which unique strengths do you believe you bring to Be That Girl Foundation as you manage its programs forward?
I believe leadership in this sector requires a careful balance between strategic thinking, empathy, and genuine collaboration. Over the years, I have developed core strengths that help me navigate challenges, uplift my team, and drive lasting impact.
For example, I make it a priority to listen to a diverse range of voices - especially those on the ground - which enables me to craft well-informed solutions. I also have a deep-seated belief in people’s inherent worth, and I take great pride in coaching and encouraging others to realize their full potential.
Additionally, I’m passionate about strategic communication, which involves gathering data, extracting meaningful insights, and effectively sharing them with stakeholders. As Be That Girl Foundation continues to grow, establishing robust operational systems will be crucial: building strong systems and structures will help us scale without losing quality.
You’ve led diverse, cross-cultural teams. What principles guide you in creating high-impact, purpose-driven teams?
In my experience, building a high-performing team requires a blend of empathy, clarity of purpose, and respect for individual talents. I rely on three core leadership approaches: strengths-based leadership, values-based leadership, and compassionate leadership.
With strengths-based leadership, I focus on identifying and maximizing each team member’s unique strengths. Values-based leadership ensures that everyone understands how their work aligns with our core values, which in turn fuels motivation.
And through compassionate leadership, I show genuine care for my team members’ well-being, growth, and success. Together, these principles create an environment where every individual is empowered to contribute their best, driving our collective achievement.
You’ve mentored many emerging women leaders. What advice would you give to young African women aspiring to leadership roles?
I want them to remember three things. First, “You have inherent worth - it can’t be taken away.” Second, “You’re the best one to solve your own challenges; your voice is critical.” And third, “You can’t fail or succeed at something you don’t try. So, try!”
You’re also part of networks like Girls First Network and the Collaborative Learning Initiative. How do these platforms shape your leadership, and how can other young women tap into such opportunities?
There’s an African saying that goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” These communities of advocacy help you learn from others’ experiences and share your own. They foster collaboration around massive challenges no single organization can solve alone. For young women, start by volunteering, stay curious, be generous, and find a network where you can grow.
What are some major lessons you’ve learned from working with international coalitions like the Coalition for Adolescent Girls?
Two key lessons stand out. First, context matters - while women’s and girls’ challenges can be similar, they vary across different locales, so it's crucial to adapt to each unique context.
Second, power sharing is essential. Coalitions bring together everyone from Global North partners to small grassroots organizations, with each player contributing valuable perspectives. Collaboration, generosity, and shared goals are all critical to driving real empowerment.
5. Barriers to Women’s Empowerment
We’ve covered how strong leadership and supportive networks can elevate women and girls. Now, let’s look at the underlying obstacles they face every day.
In your experience across various African contexts, what do you see as the most significant barriers preventing women from living fully self-determined lives?
I’ve worked with women and girls in all sorts of settings, from urban centers to remote rural areas, and while each community faces its own unique issues, there are a few overarching challenges that almost always surface.
Here are some of the biggest barriers I’ve seen standing in the way of women’s ability to fully determine their own paths. One is the lack of access to education, which often leads to early marriage, limited job opportunities, and a cycle of poverty. Another is limited SRHR awareness; without understanding their own reproductive rights, women can’t make informed decisions about marriage, family, or career paths.
And finally, the absence of visible role models or mentorship means that if you’ve never seen a woman own property or drive a car, it’s hard to even imagine that such achievements are possible.
You’ve also worked with survivors of sexual violence. What key lessons can help shift cultural norms that normalize gender-based violence (GBV)?
Through my work with survivors of sexual violence, I’ve seen how deeply entrenched cultural norms can perpetuate GBV.
But I’ve also seen firsthand that change is possible when communities come together. In my experience, there are several crucial lessons for challenging and transforming harmful norms.
First, breaking the culture of silence is essential, which means encouraging survivors to speak out and increasing awareness about what GBV looks like. Second, it’s vital to engage multiple stakeholders - men, community leaders, parents, and local chiefs must all be part of the solution.
And third, we must reform the justice system, as these cases are often hard to prosecute, by implementing punitive measures for perpetrators and establishing a process that isn’t hindered by corruption or unrealistic evidence burdens.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey so far?
It’s seeing one woman or one girl transform her life - going from uncertainty to recognizing her worth and seizing opportunities. I love seeing how intertwined our journeys are: as they grow, I grow, too.
If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, what would you say?
Always guard your joy. This work can be heavy, and we can’t give from an empty cup. Joy is a powerful form of resistance. Cultivate it every day so you can keep giving from a place of abundance.
6. How Stakeholders Can Get Involved
We’ve explored the systemic challenges, from gender-based violence to limited access to education. Now, let’s talk about solutions.
For readers - whether they’re philanthropists, policymakers, or young women - how can they contribute to advancing women’s empowerment in Africa?
Above all, believe that African women and girls know what they need. They already have many of their own solutions. Your job is to listen attentively and help provide the resources or support they ask for.
To young women, remember: you have the answers you seek, so trust yourself. If you need assistance, don’t be afraid to ask. That’s part of empowerment, too.
What does meaningful allyship look like for those who want to support gender equality but aren’t sure how to begin?
It begins with curiosity - actively learning about the specific issues women and girls face in your region. Then, take small but real actions. Use your social media to amplify messages, or engage in community work.
If you care for children, model gender equality so they grow up internalizing those values. Bit by bit, these small actions accumulate into big changes.
7. Final Thoughts
We’ve seen how both local communities and broader alliances can drive change when they work together. Now, let’s look ahead.
As Be That Girl Foundation continues to expand, where do you see the organization going in the next few years, and what specific role do you hope to play in shaping that growth?
Over time, I see the foundation building robust thought leadership based on evidence from our community-led programs. Using that data, we can scale to reach more women and girls while refining what works best. I envision a movement of women and girls living self-determined lives - becoming champions of our mission.
My role will be to measure, evaluate, and learn from the impact of our work, collaborate with partners to design high-quality programs, and build capacity so these programs can thrive independently.
Many nonprofits struggle with scaling their programs while keeping quality and community engagement high. How do you approach this?
It often boils down to scaling deep before scaling wide. Instead of quickly expanding to new regions, we should first ensure our current programs are truly impactful, sustainable, and scalable. Only after that do we replicate our model in new communities.
As you step into this new role, what message would you like to share with the women and girls who will be impacted by Be That Girl Foundation?
A world where every woman and girl has agency, equal opportunities, and can lead a truly self-determined life is absolutely possible. My invitation is: Let’s create it together.
Closing Notes
Thank you so much, Trizah. This was a fascinating conversation - rich with insights. Congratulations again on your new role.
Thank you. I’m so happy we could do this interview, and I can’t wait to start working together at Be That Girl Foundation.