NGO Empowers Teen girls in Commemoration of International Girls Day

A non-governmental organization, The Anike Initiative has empowered 50 schoolgirls with soft skills in More-Oyin schools in Ogun state in commemoration of the international day of the girl child.

Founder of the Anike initiative, Gbolagunte Oyinkansola Anike, speaking at the occasion said the were lunching their first project on the occasion of the international day of the girl child because they care about issues of the girl child.

She said, “The Anike Initiative is a start-up development organization focused on closing gender gaps to improve women and girls’ health and promote economic development in our society and across Africa. Our goal is to create a more equitable society by dismantling the barriers that hinder the progress of women and girls in Nigeria by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to realize their full potential.

“This is why we chose the International Day of the Girl Child, declared by the United Nations to celebrate and amplify girls’ voices, to launch our initiative. This year, we’re focusing on empowering girls with knowledge about their sexual health rights, career aspirations, and entrepreneurship skills for a sustainable future.”

Also speaking, Co funder, Bamidele Oyewumi said the 2024 day of the girl child was an opportunity to set resource to care for the needs of the girl child.

Experts were brought together to educate 50 girls from five schools in Ogun State on technology, SRHR, and entrepreneurship. There were female tech experts from Tech4Dev to mentor the girls on how to access the tech space, also SRHR experts from Gift a Child Initiative to mentor the girls on their health care and rights.

The initiative also lunched an essay competition, titled “Closing the Tech Gap: How Nigerian Girls Can Break Through Barriers to Digital (Technology)” and Over 18 girls participated and the top three were selected based on merits and awarded with prizes both cash and devises.

Entrepreneurship trainings on Makeup artistry, Hairstyling and Sewing was added to the program, to promote economic empowerment . Experts on these skills were present to teach the girls.

The goal is to expand the initiative across Nigeria, addressing key issues facing women and girls