Celebrating the Power and Promise of Every Girl in Coffee
This Saturday, on the International Day of the Girl Child, we at the IWCA pause to honor the strength, creativity, and leadership of girls around the world—especially those growing up in coffee-producing communities.
From the highlands of Rwanda to the valleys of Guatemala, from the family farms of Indonesia to the roasting labs of Italy, girls are the future of coffee. But they are also the present.
Every girl who helps on the farm before school.
Every girl who dreams of becoming a cupper, an agronomist, a business owner.
Every girl who speaks up, studies hard, shows up, and reaches for more—despite the odds.
Why This Matters
We know that when girls are empowered, communities thrive. Educated girls become informed leaders. Supported girls become resilient innovators. Encouraged girls become powerful women who change the landscape of the coffee industry and beyond.
Yet around the world, many girls still face systemic barriers: limited access to education, healthcare, land rights, leadership opportunities, and freedom from gender-based violence. For girls in rural coffee communities, these challenges are often compounded by poverty and isolation.
We see these realities—and we’re working to change them.
What IWCA Stands For
At IWCA, we believe empowerment starts early. That’s why our global network of 36 chapters includes programs focused on:
Leadership development for young women in coffee
Mentorship and skill-building in agriculture, business, and science
Scholarships and education access for girls in farming families
Safe spaces and community support to help girls rise with dignity
Our work is grounded in one simple truth: when we invest in girls, we invest in the future of coffee.
A Call to Action
This International Day of the Girl Child, we invite you to:
Celebrate the girls in your life and your community.
Support IWCA chapters that are creating opportunities for the next generation.
Speak up for equity, safety, and access—at every stage of life.
Strong Girls Become Strong Women
To every girl with dirt under her fingernails, dreams in her heart, and fire in her soul:
We see you.
We believe in you.
And we are building a future with you at the center.
Because when girls rise, the whole world rises with them.
Learn more about IWCA’s work across 36 countries and how you can support programs that invest in girls and women in coffee.