Hacey Empowers Teenagers with Career Development Skills

Ugo Aliogo

Non-governmental organization, Hacey Health Initiative through its Platform for Amplifying the Voice and Empowerment of Girls (PAVE) programme has empowered 134 teenage girls aged 14 to 19 with knowledge on career development, Finance, mental health, sexual health and right.

A statement by the organisation Hacey empowered the girls in a five-day PAVE training programme held at Ikorodu Local government and Ibeju-Lekki local government area of Lagos States.

The Programme Manager, Chioma Osakwe said: “It is day three of the PAVE training programme by HACEY Health Initiative with supported from EmpowerUK and so far it’s been amazing. We have had the girls trained on sexual and reproductive health and under that we have had menstruation management. We have taught the girls how to respond to sexual violence or any form of violence. We have gone through the difference between gender and sex and have brought them up to speed with gender equality and gender equity.
“It has been an engaging and inactivity platform and we have had girls ask important questions to which our facilitators have given credible responses. We have also had girls bring up great initiatives and contributions from their schools and communities. It is been an all-round learning experience for the girls and the organizers as well.”

One of the Facilitators of the programme, Deborah Adewale said the girls have been empowered and trained on different important aspects of life.

She said: “Today in particular we dealt with gender-based violence as well as sexual and reproductive health of girls. We also taught them about STI and STDs, putting them in the know of what they are to be aware of and how they can be affected, how they can stay away from sex and every other thing that can expose them to diseases. They were taught about STDs and HIV.

“They were as well taught that physical violence and emotional violence are just the common examples of gender-based violence but that they are more examples. They were taught to make reports of rape cases. A lot of participants opened up and made us to understand some of the myth that surrounds rape cases and the justice system. It was an insightful programme and the aim is to empower these girls to empower other girls.”

Speaking on the programme, HACEY’s Executive Director, Rhoda Robinson said, “Adolescence is a critical time that profoundly influences the future of the girl child. It comes with many transitions: from girlhood to womanhood; primary to secondary education; secondary to tertiary education; from education to career and family life. Gender inequalities also become more pronounced during this period, and as such, many girls face difficulties ranging from gender based violence and abuse. It is critical we prioritize investment in the girl child by conceptualizing and implementing strategic programmes geared towards promoting their development, health and wellbeing.”

The PAVE programme is part of the Safe Space project that provides the opportunity for girls aged 13-19 to learn about leadership, career, sexual and reproductive health and openly express themselves in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment.