Piled up desk./PHOTO ; Pexel
The Malala Fund has announced a $300,000 investment to support girls’ education and emergency response in conflict-affected regions, with the bulk of the funding directed to African-led organisations working in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where violence and displacement continue to push millions of girls out of school.
Of the total funding, $200,000 will support initiatives in Africa, with $100,000 allocated to Women’s Response Rooms in Sudan and $100,000 to the Panzi Foundation in the DRC.
The support targets grassroots organisations working directly with girls affected by conflict, displacement, sexual violence, and school closures.
“I call on governments to demonstrate even a fraction of the courage girls show every day and take concrete action to protect their right to learning,” said Malala Yousafzai, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Malala Fund.
“International actors, including UN agencies, regional bodies, and states with influence over parties responsible for war crimes, must uphold international law and safeguard children’s safety and education.”
Keeping education alive in Sudan
Sudan’s ongoing conflict has displaced millions of people and forced the closure of thousands of schools, creating one of Africa’s most severe education emergencies.
Girls are at heightened risk of never returning to classrooms due to early marriage, economic hardship, and insecurity.
Malala Fund’s partner, Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition, operates Women’s Response Rooms, initiatives defined and led by Sudanese women to support communities during crisis.
These spaces provide emergency assistance while helping girls maintain access to education during displacement.
Run through local volunteers, the Women’s Response Rooms create safe environments that preserve girls’ dignity, support schooling, and strengthen community-led responses.
By funding these initiatives, Malala Fund is backing locally driven solutions that centre women’s leadership and protect girls’ right to learn amid conflict.
Supporting survivors in the DRC
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prolonged conflict linked to control of natural resources has exposed women and girls to widespread violence, including sexual assault used as a weapon of war.
Survivors often face unwanted pregnancies, stigma, and exclusion from education.
Malala Fund is supporting the Panzi Foundation, a long-standing leader in survivor-centred care.
Panzi provides integrated medical treatment, psychosocial support, and education services for pregnant girls and young mothers.
Its model enables survivors to return to school or access skills training after childbirth, offering pathways to recovery and independence.
Since 2021, more than 600 girls and women 75% under the age of 18 have safely given birth under Panzi’s care.
With insecurity escalating in eastern DRC, the number of girls requiring such support is expected to rise sharply in 2026.
The new funding will allow Panzi to expand services across hospitals and One Stop Centers, reaching more survivors with life-saving care and education support.
Education as a lifeline
Across Sudan and the DRC, education remains one of the few sources of stability for girls navigating displacement and trauma.
By investing in African organisations rooted in affected communities, Malala Fund is prioritising responses that are context-specific and sustainable.
In addition to its work in Africa, Malala Fund has allocated $100,000 to Taawon in Gaza, where the organisation supports Temporary Learning Spaces and mental health services for children affected by ongoing conflict.
Malala Fund has called on global citizens to stand with girls fighting for their right to education.
“Education is not a privilege, it’s a lifeline,” the organisation said, emphasising that protecting girls’ access to learning is essential to building resilient communities and breaking cycles of violence and poverty.
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