When environmentalist Xoli Fuyani saw a need for girl-focused support at schools on the Cape Flats in Cape Town and launched the Girls Club 10 years ago, she did not realize this would lead her to a particularly meaningful relationship with girls during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown.

Midwife Nuriat Koku Mtumbi remembers the day in March well: “It was raining heavily and Adimu* had delivered her baby on her way to our facility. “She was shielding herself under a tree” when she gave birth, Ms. Mtumbi recalled. Adiumu was in excruciating pain, and bleeding heavily.

Last November, the world convened in Nairobi to celebrate the tremendous gains of the past 25 years in advancing the health and rights of women and girls. Leaders from around the world committed to accelerating action to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.