The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) has marked its 14th anniversary with a renewed commitment to advancing women's rights and empowering vulnerable women and girls in Nigeria and Africa. Founded on September 17, 2012, by Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, NIGAWD began as a small initiative and has since expanded its work across various sectors, including socio-economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence prevention. The organization's growth has been remarkable, with a significant impact on the lives of women and girls across Nigeria and Africa.
NIGAWD's interventions have included support for vulnerable children and women, such as the rescue of street children and efforts to return teenage mothers to school. The organization has also implemented economic empowerment programs targeting widows and orphans to support their financial independence and long-term stability. These initiatives have been crucial in promoting the well-being and dignity of women and girls, who often face significant challenges in accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
In the area of adolescent health, NIGAWD has established programs such as "When Girls Talk" and "When Boys Konnet," which have reached over 10,000 adolescent girls and boys with sexual and reproductive health and rights information. The organization has also expanded its approach to digital advocacy through AskNIVI, a WhatsApp-enabled platform providing SRHR information, as well as social media campaigns and digital engagement. These initiatives have been instrumental in promoting healthy behaviors and providing young people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.
NIGAWD's work against female genital mutilation (FGM) has taken the organization beyond Nigeria, with Aladejare-Salako representing the campaign against FGM at the United States' first End FGM Summit in Washington in 2016. She also served as African Union Saleema Youth Ambassador for West Africa and an End FGM Ambassador between 2016 and 2019, participating in anti-FGM advocacy and the development of frameworks across several countries, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Egypt, and Kenya.
The organization has also focused on preventing gender-based violence, supporting survivors, and promoting ethical storytelling. At Expo 2020 Dubai, Aladejare-Salako advocated for the adoption of a "Do No Harm" approach in telling the stories of survivors of gender-based violence, emphasizing the need to protect survivors' dignity in media and international development interventions. This approach has been critical in ensuring that survivors' voices are heard while minimizing harm and retraumatization.
NIGAWD has engaged in policy advocacy, including campaigns for the implementation of the Maputo Protocol and advocacy around the Ekiti Youth Agenda, seeking stronger legal and policy protections for women and young people. The organization has also promoted democratic participation and electoral integrity through initiatives such as the Vote Not Fight – Election No Be War campaign and the YERP Naija initiative. These efforts have contributed to promoting peaceful elections and youth participation in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the journey, Aladejare-Salako expressed gratitude for the organization's growth and impact, attributing it to partnerships and support from development organizations. The organization's anniversary statement highlighted its contribution to human capital development, noting that many former volunteers and staff members are now working across different sectors in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. As NIGAWD looks to the future, it remains committed to advancing women's rights and empowering vulnerable women and girls in Nigeria and Africa.
Key points
- NIGAWD has reached over 10,000 adolescent girls and boys with sexual and reproductive health and rights information through its programs.
- The organization has expanded its work across various sectors, including socio-economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence prevention.
- NIGAWD has promoted democratic participation and electoral integrity through initiatives such as the Vote Not Fight – Election No Be War campaign and the YERP Naija initiative.
