This manual is part of Program M - 'M' for 'mulheres' ('women' in Portuguese) and 'mujeres' ('women' in Spanish) - an international initiative to promote young women's empowerment and health. It includes a series of group educational activities to promote young women's awareness of gender inequities, rights and health, and to empower them with applicable skills in different spheres of their lives. The manual has been field-tested in Brazil, Jamaica, Mexico and Nicaragua. It includes a theoretical background as well as a series of participatory activities to facilitate group work with young women (aged 15 to 24) on issues such as sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and community participation. The purpose of this document is to help educators engage young women in discussions about how ideas of what it means to be a woman or a man affect women's life choices, health and sexuality. The manual is organized into 10 sections: - gender, empowerment and human rights ; - identity and relationships ; - violence ; - bodies and sexuality ; - sexual and reproductive rights and health ; - motherhood and care-giving ; - preventing and living with HIV and AIDS; - drugs ; - young women and work ; - community participation. Each section contains activities lasting between 45 minutes and two hours. These activities can be developed in a variety of environments including schools, clubs and community organizations. They are most effective when done with smaller groups of 10 to 20 participants.