SYLVAMO Supports UNICEF: Powering girls’ potential by investing in girls’ skills for the future
Partner Since 2024
Sylvamo is partnering with UNICEF by investing $500,000 to support Skills4Girls, an initiative working to empower girls with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in the 21st century workforce. The partnership will help bridge the gap between the skills girls need and those to which they traditionally have access.
“We’re proud to be part of UNICEF’s efforts to address this critical need,” said James McDonald, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sylvamo. “The portfolio of projects will enable girls to develop the necessary job-specific skills needed to support lifelong learning and employment."
Globally, about 1 billion girls and women lack the skills they need to succeed in the rapidly changing job market. Almost double the number of 15-19 year old adolescent girls (1 in 4) compared to boys (1 in 10) are not in any form of education, employment or training (NEET).
As one of the five targeted priorities for Girls’ Empowerment in the UNICEF Gender Action Plan and Strategic Plan 2022-25, investments in girls’ education and skills are a critical pathway to dignified work and economic security. Skills4Girls seeks to contribute to UNICEF’s commitments by working to develop girls’ skills in areas such as STEM, digital technologies, social entrepreneurship, in addition to life skills such as problem-solving, negotiation, self-esteem, and communication.
The initiative also aligns with Sylvamo’s 2030 goals to improve the lives within communities where employees work and accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5, guaranteeing gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
In the 19 countries where it is currently present, Skills4Girls takes a girl-centered approach to skill building by:
- Promoting girl-centered engagement by intentionally engaging girls in program design, implementation, monitoring and learning
- Developing girl-specific skills by focusing on competencies that position girls to participate equally in their learning, training, and transition to employment opportunities
- Adopting girl-focused approaches: tailoring program design and strategies to girls’ needs including through safe spaces, mentorship, internships, access to technology and leadership development
“With 620 million adolescent girls in the world today, we have the opportunity to shape the future for gender equality by ensuring they have the skills to succeed in a 21st century workforce,” said Michele Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, UNICEF USA. “UNICEF cannot do this work alone and we greatly appreciate Sylvamo’s partnership to support adolescent girls’ skills, helping to create transformative change for girls and their communities.”
Sylvamo’s support for UNICEF will empower more girls and positively transform lives. The partnership will support the Skills4Girls global program, including supporting the initiative in Bolivia and Brazil, through programs aiming to:
- Equip girls with skills they need for their transition to a productive adulthood, thereby contributing to their economic empowerment. This includes classes on foundational skills such as literacy and numeracy, as well as training on life skills like communication and critical thinking, digital skills like digital literacy and coding, entrepreneurship like business model design, and other job-specific skills to find or create meaningful employment — especially in STEM-related fields
- Promote gender-transformative education and pedagogy, including through revisions of textbooks and curricula to remove gender stereotypes and biases, and teacher training
- Promote adolescent girls’ leadership and advocacy skills for gender-responsive public policies at the local and national level.
- Provide mentoring and other support to girls, parents and teachers
Last updated 09/12/2024.
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