Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative has announced the launch of Girls Thrive, a community-based Family Life and Health Education (FLHE) and empowerment programme for adolescent girls in Gbazango community. The initiative will run from January to February 2026 and is funded by Philantify, with implementation led by Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative in close partnership with community leaders and the local Primary Health Care Centre (PHC).
Girls Thrive is designed to improve the family life and health outcomes of 40 adolescent girls aged 15–19, equipping them with accurate health information, essential life skills, leadership capacity, and vocational competencies that promote wellbeing, dignity, and economic resilience. The programme responds directly to key challenges identified within Gbazango community, including teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, drug abuse, limited access to reproductive health information, mental health concerns, and economic vulnerability among adolescent girls.
The project was formally introduced to the community during a stakeholders’ consultation meeting held at the Palace of the Community Chief of Gbazango. The meeting brought together traditional leaders, women leaders, health workers, community representatives, and local government officials for an open dialogue on the realities facing girls and young women in the community.
Speaking at the consultation, Aderonke Olisa, Executive Director of Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative and Programme Lead, emphasized the importance of culturally grounded, community-led solutions.
“Girls Thrive is built on listening — listening to the voices of parents, leaders, health workers, and most importantly, the girls themselves,” Olisa said. “When communities take ownership of girls’ education, health, and safety, we do not only protect them; we prepare them to lead and thrive.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Jibrin Mohammed, the Community Chief of Gbazango, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to its success.
“Our daughters are the future of this community,” he stated. “Any programme that educates them, protects them, and helps them grow into responsible and confident women has our full support. We are grateful that Girls Thrive was brought to us with respect for our culture and in partnership with our people.”
Under the leadership of Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative, Girls Thrive will deliver interactive FLHE sessions covering menstrual health management, gender-based violence prevention, mental health education, values clarification, self-esteem building, communication skills, and leadership development. Participants will also be trained as peer educators and community health champions, ensuring that knowledge-sharing and advocacy continue beyond the project’s two-month duration.
A core component of the programme is the Safe Space Initiative, which strengthens access to counselling and confidential reporting of gender-based violence through collaboration with the community Primary Health Care Centre. In addition, vocational and entrepreneurship training will support girls’ economic empowerment, helping to reduce vulnerability to exploitation and social vices.
Community stakeholders at the consultation meeting expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that empowerment programmes such as Girls Thrive can significantly reduce teenage pregnancy, improve health-seeking behaviour, and boost confidence and self-worth among adolescent girls. The endorsement from traditional and women leaders reflects trust in Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative’s experience in delivering adolescent and community health programmes.
Philantify’s support of Girls Thrive underscores its commitment to community-driven development and the empowerment of girls as a catalyst for long-term social change. As the programme unfolds in early 2026, Girls Thrive stands as a collaborative effort to nurture informed, confident, and empowered girls who can contribute meaningfully to the future of Gbazango community.
