As the world continues to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, the focus remains on advancing girls’ education, safety, and empowerment. In Nigeria, where millions of girls still face barriers to schooling, safety, and opportunity, many women are rising to change that narrative.
From advocating against harmful practices to creating safe spaces, empowering teenage mothers, and redefining what it means to be a girl in today’s world, these women are driving impact where it matters most.
Here are five remarkable women leading the charge for girls’ rights in Nigeria.
Raquel Kasham Daniel, Founder, Beyond the Classroom Foundation
Raquel has spent over a decade building platforms that give girls the tools, confidence, and knowledge to thrive. Through her organization, Beyond the Classroom Foundation, she has empowered thousands of out-of-school girls and led initiatives across Nigeria that promote girls’ education, safety, and leadership.
Her Safer Girls Framework, launched in 2025, is a holistic approach built on four pillars: Safer Homes, Safer Communities, Safer Classrooms, and Safer Girls. It has now been adopted by over 20 private schools and 7 nonprofits across Nigeria, with ongoing efforts to adapt it for government schools.
Raquel also leads the Beyond Her Odds Initiative and its flagship Beyond Her Odds Show and Awards, celebrating women who have overcome incredible challenges and are inspiring a new generation of girls to rise beyond their odds.
Favour Abatang, Founder, Her Voice Foundation
Favour is a girls’ and women’s rights activist committed to empowering teenage mothers and at-risk girls. As the Founder and Executive Director of Her Voice Foundation, she leads initiatives that provide second-chance education, livelihood support, and advocacy in marginalized communities.
Her work focuses on ending harmful practices such as child marriage, money marriage, and all forms of forced marriage while breaking barriers to girls’ education. Since 2020, Favour has led campaigns in Cross River State to combat the resurgence of money marriage, a tradition where girls as young as four are married off to settle family debts.
Through her initiative, she has provided education and livelihood support to over 300 survivors, engaged 200 traditional leaders, and supported 7,000 girls through the Foundation’s Second-Chance Education program.
Her impact has earned international recognition, including the Princess Diana Award in 2023 and being named among the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent in 2025.
Mayowa Adegbile, Founder, Ashake Foundation
Mayowa is a social innovator changing how Nigeria approaches menstrual health and hygiene. As Founder of the Ashake Foundation, she champions a new narrative for girls, one where menstruation is not a source of shame or stigma.
Through the Schoolgirl Hygiene Kits Project, her team equips schoolgirls with menstrual kits, hygiene essentials, and accurate information about their bodies. Each kit helps a girl stay in school, manage her period with confidence, and focus on learning rather than fear or absence.
The project has reached hundreds of girls in underserved schools across Abuja and surrounding communities, with a goal to support 1,000 girls this year.
“Menstrual hygiene is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” says Mayowa. “When girls have access to knowledge and safe menstrual care, they gain confidence, stay in school, and step boldly into their potential.”
Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Founder, Gender Mobile Initiative
Omowumi leads the fight against sexual and gender-based violence through the Gender Mobile Initiative, which focuses on building safe and inclusive learning environments across Nigeria.
Her organization has developed survivor-centered reporting systems and gender-safety policies for schools and tertiary institutions. Gender Mobile’s innovative Campus Safety App gives students a confidential platform to report sexual harassment and access professional support.
Omowumi’s advocacy has influenced national discourse on campus safety, making her a key voice in shaping gender policy in education.
Tabitha Arenson Abimiku, Founder, Girls Dignity Foundation and Virtuous Pads
Tabitha is redefining dignity and access for girls and women through her social enterprise, Virtuous Pads, and nonprofit, Girls Dignity Foundation.
Her work provides menstrual hygiene products and education to girls in rural and low-income communities while promoting body confidence and ending period poverty. Through sustainable menstrual products and awareness campaigns, she is ensuring that no girl misses school because of her period.
Her organizations have reached hundreds of girls in northern Nigeria, offering both menstrual support and mentorship to help them stay in school and dream beyond limitations.
From classrooms to communities, these women are shaping a safer, fairer future for girls across Nigeria. Their work is a reminder that when girls are educated, safe, and empowered, entire communities thrive.
As we mark this season of celebrating girls, may their stories inspire more people to stand for education, equality, and safety for every girl, everywhere.
