In a significant move for community-led development, the Omidan Health and Empowerment Initiative (OHEI) has officially inaugurated its Girls Thrive programme, a community-based initiative focused on Family Life and Health Education (FLHE) and empowerment for adolescent girls. The launch was marked by a pivotal co-creation workshop held in the Gbazango community, Abuja.
A Programme Built With Girls, For Girls
The co-creation workshop served as the foundational step for the project, actively involving the very individuals it aims to serve. Adolescent girls sat alongside community leaders, women leaders, health workers, and local officials to shape the programme's direction. This methodology is central to OHEI's guiding principle of "nothing for us without us," ensuring interventions are relevant and culturally attuned.
Aderonke Olisa, the Executive Director of OHEI and Programme Lead, emphasized this participatory ethos. She stated that Girls Thrive transcends mere programme delivery; it is fundamentally about listening to the girls and collaboratively crafting solutions. Engaging them from the outset guarantees the project's effectiveness in empowering them to lead and thrive.
During the workshop, participants openly discussed pressing challenges faced by girls in the community. Key issues identified included teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, limited access to reproductive health information, mental health concerns, and economic vulnerability. The girls contributed vital ideas on how the project could best address these barriers to their wellbeing and success.
Community Leaders Rally Behind the Initiative
The co-creation approach garnered strong endorsement from local stakeholders. Mr. Jibrin Mohammed, the Community Chief of Gbazango, voiced his support, affirming that their daughters deserve a voice in shaping programmes that impact their lives. He noted that Girls Thrive, through this inclusive model, provides that essential voice and makes the girls true partners in their own empowerment journey.
The Girls Thrive programme is financially supported by Philantify and is scheduled to run from January to February 2026. It is specifically designed to improve health, leadership, and economic outcomes for girls aged 15 to 19 in the community.
Key Components of the Girls Thrive Programme
Following the foundational workshop, the initiative will roll out several core components:
- Interactive FLHE Workshops: These sessions will cover crucial topics including menstrual health, prevention of gender-based violence, mental health education, values clarification, self-esteem, communication, and leadership skills.
- Peer Educator Training: Selected girls will be trained as community health champions and peer educators, equipping them to advocate for themselves and their peers even after the project concludes.
- Safe Space Initiative: In partnership with the community Primary Health Care Centre, the programme will establish confidential access to counselling and reporting mechanisms for the girls.
- Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training: This pillar aims to bolster the girls' economic independence and resilience, providing them with practical skills for a sustainable future.
The entire co-creation process underscores OHEI's deep commitment to community-driven and girl-centered development. By ensuring programmes are co-designed with their intended beneficiaries, the initiative fosters greater ownership and long-term impact. The support from Philantify highlights a shared vision of empowering adolescent girls to become active agents of positive change within their own communities.
