Adolescent girls are one of the hardest groups to reach in societies. The challenges they face are often under-reported or described on their behalf. Without the inclusion of their perspective, solutions designed to support them aren’t as effective as they could be.
To create meaningful change for girls we need to close the global gender data gap
TEGA: A groundbreaking girl-led research solution
Co-created with girls and young women aged 18-24, TEGA (Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors) is Girl Effect's mobile based research tool, enabling girls to collect real-time insights into the lives of their peers. This unique approach unlocks the open and honest conversations that might otherwise be lost or not included in traditional research.

Shweta, a 19-year-old TEGA from Jaipur, IndiaIt is important to involve young people as they understand their problems like no one else and have ideas for how to solve them. They are curious and confident and capable of doing anything.

Nick Lacey, OXFAM Protection CoordinatorTEGA has had a significant impact on the way we work. It has much value in the humanitarian sector.
Girl-centred research
TEGA uncovers what makes girls tick: what they love, how they understand the world around them, their motivations and how they see themselves. Co-created with and delivered by girls, TEGA provides Girl Effect and partner organisations with unique insight into the reality of girls’ lives, helping to ensure that our content, products, programmes and experiences are designed from a girls’ perspective.
The TEGA girl-talk method
Recruited and supported by local partners, TEGAs are trained and paid as market researchers to conduct interviews with girls, boys, adults and community leaders via mobile phones.
TEGAs have gathered data from girls and communities on topics including nutrition, economic empowerment, health and wellbeing, vaccines, mobile access, social media and education. This girl-talk method is essential for researching sensitive topics like sexual health, HIV and teen pregnancy.
Girl Effect runs live TEGA networks in India, Rwanda and Tanzania and associate networks in Bangladesh, Malawi, Nigeria and the USA.

Formative research
TEGAs can confidently conduct interviews with girls, boys, adults, and community leaders - revealing candid information to help understand issues or inform programme and product design.

Concept & creative testing
TEGAs can instantly capture reactions and feedback insights into the design process. This allows for programmes to be adapted in real-time, rather than once they are finished.

Monitoring & evaluation
TEGAs collects qualitative and quantitative data, putting them in a unique position to regularly provide insights to improve the quality of programmes.
Impact
Our network
450 TEGAs
have been trained to collect authentic insights into their communities
450 TEGAs
have been trained to collect authentic insights into their communities
Our reach
7 countries
TEGA networks in Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, India, Bangladesh, and the USA.
7 countries
TEGA networks in Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, India, Bangladesh, and the USA.
Our research
Over 25,000 interviews
conducted by our Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors with girls and their communities.
Over 25,000 interviews
conducted by our Technology Enabled Girl Ambassadors with girls and their communities.
TEGA awards, endorsements & press





TEGA partnerships
TEGA works in partnership with and is supported through grants from some of the biggest actors to design better, more targeted development and community programmes for the greatest possible impact:



Oxfam
Using authentic insight to deliver effective support to displaced girls and women
Learn more about Oxfam
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Using authentic insight to help girls access modern contraception
Learn more about Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
StriveTogether
Leveraging TEGA to improve educational outcomes for America’s youth
Learn more about StriveTogether
Gavi
Breaking down negative attitudes and behaviours that prevent girls accessing life-saving vaccines
Learn more about Gavi
PEPFAR DREAMS
Increasing demand for health services by empowering girls
Learn more about PEPFAR DREAMS
Nutrition International
Improving knowledge and practices towards nutrition for adolescent girls
Learn more about Nutrition International
Restless Development
Implementing, supporting and strengthening TEGA networks in India
Learn more about Restless Development
Women Deliver
Engaging youth around sexual and reproductive health and rights
Learn more about Women Deliver