The YWCA

MS Foundation and the YWCA research note that for ethno-specific communities in particular, parental approval is a key factor in the success of programs to fully engage girls. MS also calls attention to the fine line that many program leaders and girl participants have to walk in satisfying parental approval while moving girls forward to realize their fullest potential. Girls’ empowerment often leads to tensions between girls, their families and their cultures that must be carefully managed and creatively directed. Even if families are not directly involved, enabling girls to make some form of connection with their families’ traditions in their programming is viewed as a critical best practice. This empowers girls to extend their safe space
into their communities, and to incorporate their cultural values as they learn to develop their own sense of agency and leadership.