Margaret Wangui Ruthari is a passionate grassroots leader, advocate, and changemaker dedicated to giving vulnerable girls and young mothers a second chance at education, dignity, and a better future.

As the Founder of Protect a Girl Image (PGI), a community-based organization in Kangai, Kenya, Margaret works at the intersection of girls’ education, child protection, adolescent motherhood, psychosocial support, and community empowerment. Her work is driven by a simple but powerful belief: “When you educate a girl, you secure the future.”

Through PGI, Margaret has helped rescue and reintegrate more than 300 girls affected by early marriage, abuse, teenage pregnancy, and school dropout. She has also supported adolescent mothers to return to school, acquire vocational skills, rebuild their confidence, and pursue dignified livelihoods.

One story that captures Margaret’s impact is that of Mwitha, a 15-year-old girl who had lost both parents and was at risk of being married off simply to survive. Under Margaret’s leadership, PGI intervened, supported her return to school, provided psychosocial care and essential educational support, and surrounded her with mentorship and hope. Mwitha went on to complete her secondary education, pursue a Certificate in Community Health, and become a peer mentor helping other vulnerable girls find their way back to education.

For Margaret, every girl rescued represents more than one life changed. It is a family transformed, a cycle of poverty interrupted, and a community given a new possibility.

Her vision extends to 2035: 5,000 vulnerable girls supported to complete their education, 2,000 adolescent mothers and women empowered with skills and economic opportunities, stronger community protection systems, and safer communities where every girl can grow, learn, and thrive.

Margaret Wangui Ruthari is building more than an organization. She is building a future where no girl is left behind.

Nurturing hearts. Restoring dignity. Protecting dreams.