As a young girl growing up in Nigeria, I often found myself questioning the norms around me. Why were some of my peers pulled out of school so early? Why did girls speak in hushed tones about their pain? Why did no one seem to talk openly about abuse, consent, or safety? These experiences left a deep impression on me, fueling a desire to understand the reasons behind these silent injustices. This questioning gradually transformed into a passion to fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and advocate for the empowerment of young girls and boys alike.
This passion eventually led to the creation of Tribeshood Africa, a youth-led initiative I founded with the mission to promote child protection and gender equality through education, advocacy, and community action. In 2023, we launched one of our most impactful projects, the Benin City School Tour. Over five days, we reached more than 500 secondary school students across five underserved schools. Our goal was straightforward: to educate teenagers about the reality of GBV, their rights, and how to seek help. It was an urgent mission, but one that filled me with hope, as we were able to open up conversations that had long been considered taboo.
We designed interactive and age-appropriate sessions, blending storytelling, visual aids, and safe conversation circles. During these sessions, we talked about consent, bodily autonomy, emotional intelligence, and bystander intervention. Most importantly, we created safe spaces for students to share their own stories many of which were deeply heartbreaking. But every story was valid, and each shared experience helped chip away at the silence that often surrounds GBV. One particular moment etched itself into my memory: a young girl came up to me after a session, her eyes filled with emotion. She said, “Now I know it wasn’t my fault.” Her words pierced through me and reminded me why this work is so crucial. This isn’t just about raising awareness but it’s also about healing, empowerment, and prevention.
Organizing the school tour came with its own set of challenges. Securing permission from schools, especially when dealing with “sensitive” topics like GBV, was one of the toughest hurdles. We also had to ensure that our volunteers were well-trained to speak to students with empathy and cultural sensitivity. Funding the logistics, materials, and transportation was another significant challenge, especially since we had very limited resources. But despite these obstacles, we pressed on, driven by a core belief: silence only perpetuates the cycle. So, we persisted.
To ensure the long-term impact of our work, we partnered with local guidance counselors, health workers, and legal aid organizations to provide follow-up care for students who needed it. We distributed resource flyers containing toll-free helplines and reporting mechanisms. This holistic approach allowed us to offer not just education, but real pathways to support and healing. The Benin City School Tour contributed directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It addressed SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering both girls and boys with the knowledge and tools to tackle GBV. It aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by supplementing formal education with critical awareness of issues often overlooked. Additionally, it contributed to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by fostering safe environments and legal literacy among the youth.
Feedback from the students and schools showed that our efforts were not in vain. Over 90% of the students felt more confident speaking up about GBV, and several schools requested follow-up visits or longer-term partnerships. A sustainable impact effect soon emerged, with students becoming peer advocates and generating conversations about GBV among their classmates. This is the kind of change we are incredibly proud of, change that grows from the grassroots and spreads through communities.
Throughout this journey, I have learned that change often begins small but it starts with someone. I’ve learned the power of listening without judgment, the importance of youth-led solutions, and the resilience of teenagers when they are given the tools to advocate for themselves. On a personal level, leading this initiative has taught me to trust my voice more. I no longer wait for others to speak up; I am now intentional, strategic, and bold in my activism.
Youth participation is central to this work, and it is most effective when young people are not just consulted but entrusted to lead. When youth have ownership of a cause, they create solutions that resonate with their peers. For me, it was never just about organizing an event; it was about empowering students to take charge of their own futures. Empowerment, I’ve come to realize, is not a destination but it’s a cycle. Someone empowered me, and now I am passing that empowerment along to others.
