In a significant step toward improving adolescent health and empowerment in underserved communities, Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative has graduated 46 girls from its Girls Thrive Project in the Gbazango community of Abuja.
The six-week programme, supported by Philantify, was designed to help adolescent girls gain critical knowledge about their health while also equipping them with practical skills that can support their independence and future opportunities.
Participants, aged 15–19, received training in several areas including menstrual health and hygiene, mental health awareness, self-confidence, and leadership. The programme also introduced them to vocational skills such as pastry making, bead production, and the creation of reusable sanitary pads, providing them with tools they can use to generate income.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Aderonke Olisa, Executive Director of Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative, explained that the goal of the project goes beyond a short-term training programme.
“Our aim is to create opportunities for girls to see possibilities beyond the limitations of their environment. When girls have access to the right information and skills, they gain the confidence to shape their own futures and contribute positively to their communities.”
Olisa highlighted that many of the participants had never received structured education on menstrual hygiene or mental health prior to joining the programme.
“Some of the girls were facing challenges they didn’t fully understand. Providing safe, accurate information helps them better understand their bodies, their wellbeing, and their potential.”
A key milestone during the event was the launch of the Gbazango Girls Thrive Hub, a newly established safe space located within the community’s Primary Health Care Centre. The hub will continue to provide adolescent girls with access to mentorship, health information, counselling, and life-skills support even after the programme ends.
Stakeholders present at the event, including Raquel Kasham Daniel, Founder and Executive Director of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, emphasized the importance of investing in initiatives that support girls’ wellbeing and development. They noted that empowering girls has far-reaching benefits, strengthening families, communities, and national progress.
For the 46 girls who completed the programme, the graduation represents the start of new opportunities. Through the support of Philantify, the Girls Thrive Project demonstrates how community-based initiatives can address critical gaps in adolescent health education while helping young girls build confidence and economic skills.
The organisation also called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and grassroots organisations, noting that sustainable progress in adolescent health requires long-term commitment and partnership.
About Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative
Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative is a community-focused organisation dedicated to improving adolescent health, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Through locally driven programmes, the organisation works to create safe spaces, expand access to health education, and equip young people—especially girls—with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive.
