NGO Launches Anti-Violence Initiative in Ogun and Oyo Schools, Empowering Thousands of Girls
In a significant move to combat sexual and gender-based violence, the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has expanded its educational school program (WESP) to four secondary schools across Ogun and Oyo States. This initiative, supported by the Girls Opportunity Alliance (GOA), aims to empower adolescent girls by equipping them with essential life skills, leadership abilities, and practical knowledge to prevent and respond to abuse.
Program Details and Beneficiaries
The participating schools include Remo Secondary School and Sagamu High School in Ogun State, as well as Fiditi Grammar School and Ilora Baptist Grammar School in Oyo State. The program has successfully trained a total of 5,500 girls, comprising 500 direct beneficiaries and 5,000 indirect beneficiaries. Additionally, 500 parents and caregivers, along with 20 members of school management teams, have benefited from the initiative.
The foundation emphasized that the program seeks to build peer-led protection and support systems within schools, encouraging safe reporting and fostering collective responsibility among students and staff.
Goals and Impact of the Initiative
WARIF explained that the program is designed to increase the capacity of caregivers and school leadership to prevent and respond appropriately to abuse. Simultaneously, it equips girls with critical skills such as leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving. Over the years, WESP has recorded measurable improvements in students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to gender-based violence. This includes increased help-seeking behavior and reduced cases of abuse in intervention schools across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States.
Mrs. Tsehaitu Retta, Director of International Programmes at the Girls Opportunity Alliance, highlighted the broader impact of such investments, stating, "Investing in girls means investing in safer, stronger communities. When girls feel safe, supported, and informed, everything changes for them, their families, and their communities."
Scalable Model and Future Plans
The foundation added that WESP is a scalable, evidence-based model that addresses gaps in life skills education, school safety, and gender-sensitive mentorship. Through continued collaboration with partners, schools, and communities, WARIF aims to sustain efforts to empower, protect, and enable adolescent girls to achieve their full potential. This expansion into Ogun and Oyo States marks a crucial step in scaling the program's reach and impact.
By focusing on both direct training and indirect influence through peer networks, the initiative not only provides immediate support but also fosters a long-term culture of safety and empowerment within educational environments.
