Girls Fly Africa – GFA
Introduction
Girls Fly Africa (GFA) is a non-profit and public benefit organization (PBO) established in 2017, to promote sustainable economic empowerment, leadership, and personal development of young girls and women in STEM, focusing on Africa’s aviation and aerospace industry.
The organization identifies new talents, especially in rural areas, provides mentoring and training, and leads to exit points that deliver trained and qualified professionals to the workplace. GFA’s initiatives aim to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and empower the next generation of leaders and professionals in the aviation and aerospace sectors.
Purpose of the best practice/guidance
The GFA program deserves attention from the authorities for the following reasons:
- Sustainable Economic Empowerment: GFA promotes economic development of the aviation and aerospace industry in Africa, empowering women.
- Talent Identification and Development: The organization identifies talents in rural areas, where girls often do not have the opportunity to study and develop skills.
- Reducing Gender Inequality: GFA’s initiatives aim to reduce gender inequality in STEAM fields and empower the next generation of girls in the aviation and aerospace sectors.
Intended audience
The audience is divided into three large groups:
GROW PHASE: This group builds awareness and creates pathways into industry. This phase includes a series of targeted programs and campaigns aimed at reducing gender inequalities and transforming societal norms that often discourage young girls from pursuing careers in these fields. The activities for this audience include workshops and camps tailored to help participants enhance their skills and capabilities, preparing them for success in the industry.
FLY PHASE: In this group, the organization provides education and training opportunities tailored to the aviation and aerospace industry. It features a variety of skills development programs designed to equip participants with the technical expertise needed to thrive in these fields.
At this point, GFA offers scholarships and mentorship opportunities that connect young women with industry professionals who can guide them as they navigate their careers.
ACHIEVE PHASE: Is designed to give participants the necessary tools for sustained success. The phase offers a wide range of resources, including career development workshops, networking events, and access to industry insights.
This phase also promotes a strong community of peers and mentors who provide ongoing support as individuals progress in their careers.
Description
The Girls Fly Africa (GFA) is a non-profit organization founded by Refilwe Ledwaba in 2017, with the goal of promoting the empowerment of African girls and women in STEM fields, with a focus on the aviation and aerospace industries.
GFA’s mission is to transform lives through the pillars of Education, Innovation, Outreach, Sustainability and Technology. The organization offers programs that include mentoring, training and career development, aiming to create an inclusive environment where girls are empowered and supported to pursue careers and innovate in the aeronautical sector.
GFA’s initiatives include workshops, emerging technology programs such as drones, and professional mentoring programs. These activities aim to develop technical skills and promote personal growth of participants.
In addition, the NGO runs outreach programs in rural areas, seeking to provide sustainable community development solutions and address challenges such as limited access to education and basic resources.
Impact and future perspectives
GFA has successfully enabled individuals to achieve their goals in the industry, including becoming aerospace engineers, flight instructors, UAV pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, medical doctors, innovators and entrepreneurs.
The organisation has a strategy for 2030, which includes exciting goals like expansion, to keep up with demand, exploring new territories, establishing physical learning spaces, launching an endowment fund, and establishing a world-class aerospace academy. To accomplish these objectives, they have launched a two-year fundraising campaign.
Lessons learned
GFA’s trajectory and performance brings powerful lessons for other initiatives that seek to promote gender equity, access to quality education and inclusion in highly technical sectors, such as aviation, preparing girls for a world of work in constant transformation and increasingly technological. Some key points deserve to be highlighted, such as:
Representation: Founder Refilwe Ledwaba, as the first black female helicopter pilot in South Africa, is a real role model of success for other girls and women,
Access to rural areas: GFA runs outreach programs in remote areas, bringing information and opportunities to girls who would not otherwise have access to them.
Partnerships: GFA collaborates with governments, NGOs, private initiatives and universities. Expanding your reach and fundraising capacity.
Web link
Contact
hello@girlsflyafrica.org
Authors and Contributors
Refilwe Ledwaba – Pilot, GFA Founder and Executive Director
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