The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), an international women's organization dedicated to excellence in education, is a long-time supporter of UNICEF's education programs globally.

DKG is currently supporting educational access for girls in Africa through UNICEF’s “Girls Initiative to Revitalize Learning and Success” (GIRLS) Fund.

Previously, DKG supported the UNICEF’ Schools for Africa program for 12 years, raising over $600,000 to provide education to children in 21 priority countries. 

DKG has also supported UNICEF education and literacy programs in Central America, Gambia and Afghanistan, including raising over $200,000 for programs in Afghanistan.

Uplifting Girls through Access to Education

In 2024, DKG began supporting UNICEF’s GIRLS Fund. Launched in response to the setbacks caused by COVID-19, the GIRLS Fund works to bolster girls' education in Africa. This fund provides flexible financial support to address critical barriers to girls' education and strengthen global expertise in this field. By focusing on secondary education, the GIRLS Fund aims to help all girls complete their schooling, acquire essential life skills, and challenge harmful social norms. 

The GIRLS Fund addresses several key areas to improve girls' education. These aim to better understand and overcome barriers faced by out-of-school girls, expand access through various interventions, and improve learning pathways and quality of education. Additionally, the GIRLS Fund ensures schools provide a supportive environment for girls, addressing their overall well-being through health and nutrition services. The GIRLS Fund also drives advocacy and leadership, ensuring that governments and stakeholders are committed to accelerating educational outcomes for girls.

Supporting Children’s Education in Africa

From 2010 to 2022, DKG supported Schools for Africa — a partnership between UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Hamburg Society to reach the most disadvantaged children in Africa with improved access to quality education.

The program helped tens of millions of children in 21 priority countries across Africa — Botswana, Burundi, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda — focusing on:

• Improving access to quality basic education through safe, inclusive and healthy schools, gender-sensitive education and qualified teacher and child-centered pedagogy

• Promoting greater involvement of communities in children’s early learning and well-being through parental education

• Increasing access to and quality of informal learning programs and education for children in emergencies

• Using an equity strategy to increase education rates for girls, rural and urban poor, ethnic minorities and children with disabilities

With DKG's support, Schools for Africa created schools to serve as protective environments for the children who needed it most: especially girls, orphans and children living in extreme poverty.

Learn more about how UNICEF and civil society groups work together to create better futures for children.

DKG/UN Relationship

Beginning in 1995, DKG has played an instrumental role as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with the United Nations Department of Public Information. In addition, the Society was also granted Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2003. What does it mean to be granted Consultative Status? These are Organizations that can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Council that they have substantive and sustained contributions to make for the achievement of the objectives of the United Nations. They are NGO’s that are closely involved with the economic and social life of the peoples of the areas they represent and whose membership is broadly representative of major segments of society in a large number of countries in different regions of the world. These organizations are known as organizations in General Consultative Status. This in, and, of itself fulfills the seventh Society Purpose: To inform members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.

DKG currently has four representatives who are charged with familiarizing members with the activities and programs of the United Nations, inclusive of those relating to education and human rights.

Our DKG/NGO representatives attend briefings in person and remotely at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Information is shared during the variety of conferences held including regional and international meetings. In recent years, we’ve included school visitations in our activities whereas educators experience hands of classroom lessons about the UN and the introductions to the Society.