NGO launches project to empower 60 girls in Abuja

In a collaborative effort between Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative and the Emerging Markets Foundation (EMpower), a significant step has been taken towards empowering girls residing in the Wassa Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Abuja.

The Stand with a Girl Education Project (SWAGEP) aims to provide essential life skills and educational opportunities to 60 girls within the camp.

Mrs Uduak Obong Umossoh, the Deputy Director of the FCT Gender Education Secretariat, emphasized the significance of supporting vulnerable populations and enhancing their skills and education through partnerships with NGOs like SWAG. She stressed the Secretariat’s commitment to ensuring the quality of education programs by overseeing and monitoring their content.

Addressing the beneficiaries directly, Mrs Umossoh urged them to seize the opportunity and remain dedicated to the program, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping a brighter future, particularly for young girls vulnerable to early marriage.

Echoing, Osibe Francisca, Senior Program Officer of Adolescent School Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, expressed support for the initiative and pledged technical assistance to ensure its success.

One of the beneficiaries, 14-year-old Linda Adamu, shared her gratitude for the opportunity provided by SWAG and its partners, committing to make the most of it.

Margret Bolaji-Adegbola, Executive Director of SWAG, outlined the objectives of the project, which focuses on enrolling and retaining out-of-school adolescent girls aged 10-19 from the Wassa IDP Camp. The initiative aims to enhance their literacy and numeracy skills, provide a safe space for learning life skills, and support their access to livelihood opportunities through mentorship and scholarships.

Bolaji-Adegbola detailed the program’s structure, revealing plans to enroll the girls in four safe spaces within the community. Here, they will receive comprehensive education covering life skills, literacy, numeracy, hygiene, sexual and reproductive health rights, as well as vocational training in fields like tailoring and hairdressing. Additionally, successful completion of the program will facilitate their transition into formal education, with SWAG providing necessary support including tuition fees, uniforms, and educational materials.

By offering a holistic approach to education and skill-building, SWAG’s initiative strives to empower these girls to pursue a brighter future and contribute positively to their communities.