GAGE Project

GIRL ADVOCATES FOR GENDER EQUALITY (GAGE)

Background

Over the past five years, Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative and Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI) have consistently engaged in national and international advocacy efforts to promote gender equality in various sectors, particularly in the education and health sectors in Nigeria. In May 2020, SEGEI team members participated in an international virtual dialogue on meaningful girl and youth engagement in Generation Equality / Beijing+25 that was hosted by Plan International. The team brainstormed with girls in Nigeria and the United States and provided suggestions for the kind of support and resources that are needed to ensure that girls - particularly girls in marginalized communities - are informed and able to participate effectively in UN processes and events in-country and abroad. One of the key issues highlighted during this consultation was the lack of female mentors for girls to sustain lifelong sensitization, empowerment and advocacy for gender equality. It is not enough to conduct advocacy training for girls over a few days; girls must be exposed to mentors who will inspire and educate them on how to use their voices. It is in light of this awareness that we are focusing on using structured mentorship as a key strategy for advancing gender equality in Nigeria and globally.

Overview

The Girl Advocate for Gender Equality (GAGE); Equipping Adolescent Girls in Nigeria to be Champions of Gender Equality Through Female Mentorship project was implemented by Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative and Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI). The project built the knowledge and skills of 36 adolescent girl advocates (10-19 years) from across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria for the advancement of gender equality. These girls reflect the cultural, social, and economic diversity of girls in Nigeria, including girls living in rural communities, those differently abled,living with HIV, and other marginalized groups of girls. The girls cascaded the training to other girls (indirectly reaching at least 300 girls) and pushed for enabling policies and investment in girls’ education, health, and wellbeing.

Promote a supportive environment for meaningful participation of adolescent girls in
gender equality issues.
Promote a supportive environment for meaningful participation of adolescent girls in
gender equality.
Promote a supportive environment for meaningful participation of adolescent girls in
gender equality.
Increase Media (old and new) reportage on gender equality.
Increase gender equality buy-in by relevant stakeholders (Parents, religious/traditional
leaders, teachers, etc)

● Capacity building for Girl Advocates on Advocacy and Leadership skills.
● Capacity building for media organization on Gender sensitive reportage/Recognition of media organization.
● Mentorship session for girls on project thematic areas.
● Media engagement/ interviews with girl advocates.
● High/State level advocacy to relevant ministries.
● Cascading Advocacy training for girls in communities by Girl Advocates.
● Community Projects by Girl Advocate
● Review of existing gender policies by consultants.
● Girl-led intergenerational dialogues with male family heads, boys and young men, community and faith-based leaders and teachers on gender issues and messaging.

● 36 girls advocate capacities built on Advocacy and leadership skills.
● 12 media organizations including 2 Social Media bloggers trained on gender sensitive reportage
● 6 months mentorship session for Girl Advocates.
● 12 mentors assigned to groups of girl advocates based on selected thematic areas.
● Girl centered interviews with 5 Media organizations thereby increasing gender sensitive reportage.
● Advocacy training to over 300 girls.
● Review of gender policies from the Ministries of Health, Education and Budget and Planning