By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Her Voice Foundation, a non-profit making organization dedicated to empowering teenage mothers and at-risk girls has launched its “Girls to Women: Stronger, Bolder Project,” in Cross River State.
The launch ceremony which took place over the weekend in Calabar, is a response to the pervasive challenges faced by teenage mothers and at-risk girls, particularly in the Northern part of the state.
The maiden meeting brought together relevant stakeholders including traditional rulers, government ministries, departments, networks, implementing partners, community women leaders, youth groups, and the media, all united in their commitment to creating positive change.
Supported by the IGNITE Consortium, the ‘Girls to Women Project’ focuses on empowering 500 adolescent girls (0-19) and teenage mothers in Obanliku, Bekwarra, and Obudu, by reducing barriers to education and livelihoods, promoting gender-equitable norms, and working towards eliminating harmful cultural practices that hinder girls’ development and potential.
The initiative also aims to advocate for more responses in areas where gaps exist and solicits more investment for the betterment of teenage mothers and at-risk girls in those communities.
Part of the project objectives includes an intensive second chance education program, entrepreneurship skill training, sexual and reproductive health, and rights education (SRHR), community mobilization as well as advocacy and policy dialogues.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of Her Voice Foundation, Favour Abatang highlighted the significance of the project, describing it as a transformative journey for teenage mothers and at-risk girls.
“What this initiative aims to achieve is to see how we can reduce the barriers that girls face accessing education. The barriers are different everywhere, but in the communities we work in, we have identified that girls are unable to go to school or attain education because of community norms or vices and harmful cultural practices, like money marriage which even though has been abolished. We see that girls are still susceptible to these practices because of violence on the Cameroon border.
“There seems to be a sort of a resurgence and if we don’t curb it, it comes hunting us, we are looking at how we can break down the barriers that exist,” she added.
Abatang further stated that “there also exist barriers of gender norms and stereotypes. In some communities, people believe that girls should not be educated simply because they are girls. We want to change this narrative. We want girls to be educated, to become stronger and bolder, to secure their futures. To make this happen, we must push forward initiatives that not only support girls’ education but also actively involve men, women, community leaders, traditional leaders, and policymakers.”
She continued: “It is essential that we engage these stakeholders to create a supportive environment where girls can thrive. By working together, we can dismantle harmful practices and ensure that every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential.”
Also speaking at the event, the UN Women Technical Lead on the EVAW project, Mr. Ibrahim Nurudeen, expressed his support for the initiative and highlighted the critical need for such programs in the region. He noted that the ‘Girls to Women’ Project aligns with global efforts to empower young women and girls, particularly in areas where gender disparities and cultural barriers have historically limited their opportunities.
“My impression from this stakeholder engagement emanating from the inception meeting is that the project is starting on a good footing already. Having seen the critical stakeholders here making a commitment to contribute their quarter to the successful opening of the project, I feel that the project is going to transform the lives of girls and women in the three local government areas.”
Mr. Nurudeen emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between stakeholders, government, and civil society organizations to ensure that “these young women receive the education, resources, and support necessary to break the cycle of poverty and inequality.”
He commended Her Voice Foundation and its partners for their commitment to creating sustainable change in the lives of vulnerable populations.
“The commitment from the critical stakeholders here can be taken as an opportunity to make the best out of the project. We supported the organization in implementing a similar intervention last year, and our role at UN Women will primarily focus on providing capacity-strengthening support to Her Voice Foundation to ensure the successful execution of this project. He added, “We hope to be here again to participate in the closeout meeting, where we will gather feedback and learn from the experiences of the project team.”
The Paramount Ruler of Obanliku LGA, HRM Amb. Uchua Amos Uyumulam (JP) expressed appreciation and gratitude to Her Voice Foundation, especially in her fight to abolish the money marriage culture.
He noted that the Foundation’s initiatives have given rise to prospective changes in the community, and an opportunity for survivors to get the necessary support of a second chance at a brighter and better future ahead.
“When this program was introduced by Her Voice Foundation, the traditional rulers without missing words keyed in fully. We keyed in fully because we have seen the importance of what they are doing, and we have vowed and have promised that in no small measure, we are going to support them.
The royal father promised to use his influence to amplify the message and provide maximum support by encouraging other traditional rulers to key in the initiative.
“And all the traditional ruling councils, everybody is involved, because we have a common role there. If you are not found there, you’ll be given a local fine or something of that nature. So everybody is there and we are solidly behind them and will continue to support them to make sure that they better raise the girl child.”
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