About Us

The seeds for Girl Determined were planted in 2008 when we first held informal meetings to talk with girls about their unique needs. After two years of deep listening and learning, we established Girl Determined and launched the Colorful Girls Circles.

We started by holding an after-school program in two Buddhist monastic schools in the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, and have since grown to run programs in 80+ communities throughout the country. Today, thousands of girls participate in the Circles in rural and urban areas throughout the country, and over 12,000 more participated previously.

Our experience shows adolescence to be a pivotal time for girls in Myanmar. This is the age when they can become isolated, pressured to marry, and responsible for household duties and income contribution. At the onset of puberty, girls are no longer seen as children, which significantly increases their risk of physical, emotional, and sexual violence.

Girl Determined believes that girls, more than anyone, know what they want and need. We elevate their leadership in Myanmar and create the conditions for girls to work together to demand justice and dignity.

Awards and Recognition

2018: Asia Foundation’s Lotus Leadership Award 

2017: Beyond Sport’s Sport for Equality Award 

2015: With and For Girls Award

Supporters

Board of Directors

Girl Determined is a registered US 501(c)3 and operates with agreement from the Myanmar Ministry of Social Welfare. We have a Myanmar advisory board that advises on strategy and programming. Our US-based Board of Directors provides financial and operations due diligence.