GirlSpeakUP launches in Germiston to help girls find their voice and confidence
Rosaria Cedras from Germiston is leading a new movement called GirlSpeakUP, designed to empower young girls to overcome fear and self-doubt. The organisation’s debut event on August 2 will provide workshops and inspiring sessions aimed at nurturing confident, fearless girls ready to lead.
Germiston resident Rosaria Cedras, founder of GirlSpeakUP, is on a mission to help young girls discover their worth.
Cedras has turned her life experiences into purpose, and she is now helping girls do the same.
The inspiration behind GirlSpeakUP is deeply personal.
“I started it because I know what it feels like to stay silent out of fear or not feeling good enough.”
Her journey, marked by self-doubt and a lack of representation, became the foundation for an initiative dedicated to empowering girls to find their voices and walk confidently in their purpose.
“When a girl knows her worth and feels confident to speak up, she changes her life and impacts her community,” she said.
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In communities where many young girls battle low self-esteem, gender-based violence, and a lack of relatable role models, GirlSpeakUP offers something revolutionary: a safe, affirming space to grow.
“We are challenging the pressure that forces girls to shrink themselves. We are showing them that they are seen, heard, and equipped to lead.
GirlSpeakUP is rooted in healing and the belief that every girl deserves the chance to grow into the fullness of who she is,” said Cedras.
The mission is shaped by the founder’s evolution as a woman and a mother. Her experiences of invisibility and silence became a passion to create what she once needed.
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The organisation is still in its early stages, but its vision is clear and powerful.
GirlSpeakUP will host its inaugural event on August 2 in Germiston. With the theme Voice. Value. Victory., the event will feature workshops, inspiring speakers, and girl-led sessions designed to spark transformation.
“Already, we’re seeing change. Girls are beginning to express themselves more, ask questions with confidence, and take up space in ways they were once afraid to. We want to nurture that,” said Cedras.
She said the success of GirlSpeakUP isn’t measured in numbers alone. It is seen in the girl who once sat silently now raising her hand.
“It’s in the shift in her posture, her words, and how she carries herself. We measure success by the transformation we witness, and we want to share that with every girl who needs support,” she added.
To women who feel called to make a difference, Cedras offered this advice: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Your story, your pain, your passion – they are all tools for purpose.
Don’t wait for it to be perfect. Just begin. And stay rooted in something greater than yourself. For me, that’s God, and the belief that every voice matters.”
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Looking ahead, GirlSpeakUP envisions a ripple effect that extends far beyond local workshops.
“In the next three years, I want us to reach at least 1 000 girls across South Africa and beyond,” said Cedras.
And the long-term dream?
“To raise a generation of bold, fearless, and faith-filled women who know their value and aren’t afraid to speak up anywhere and everywhere,” she said.
In a world that too often tells girls to be quiet, GirlSpeakUP is reminding them that their voices matter. And it all starts with one courageous step forward.
