Causes: International, International Development, International Human Rights

Mission: Tostan's mission is to empower African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights.

Programs: Tostan is an international nonprofit working with rural and remote communities in eight African countries. Tostan’s three year nonformal education program, the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), provides participants with knowledge and skills in human rights, health and hygiene, literacy, math, problem-solving and project management—empowering them to become self-sufficient leaders in their communities’ development. The program has impacts across the five key areas of Governance, Education, Health, Environment and Economic Growth, while other key results of the holistic program include the abandonment of female genital cutting and child/forced marriage, dramatic improvements in maternal and infant health, increased school registration, especially for girls, and the empowerment of women and girls. The word Tostan means “breakthrough” in the Wolof language.