The Ilimi Children’s Fund (ICF) in partnership with WRTHY, has trained 50 adolescent girls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and financial literacy through its “Teach Her to Reach Her” programme.

The ICF Programme Coordinator, Ms Tovia Muo, who disclosed this in a statement, said the training was conducted under ICF’s Training, Advocacy, Research, and Mentorship project, where the school girls were selected across 10 public secondary schools in FCT.

She said the training was organised to address common misconceptions about reproductive health and to help the girls understand their rights, menstrual cycles, consent, and where to find support.

Muo said the adolescents girls were introduced to financial concepts such as saving, goal-setting, and money management for them to understand the importance of early financial education as a tool for long-term self-reliance.

She noted that the initiative was aimed at equipping teenage girls with the relevant information and mentorship they need for life. “The ‘Teach Her to Reach Her’ programme is only the beginning. With many adolescent girls still lacking access to accurate information, mentorship, and safe learning spaces, ICF is calling on development partners, government institutions, media, and donors to help expand this initiative.

“When we invest in girls, we multiply impact. We build stronger families, healthier communities, and a brighter future for all,” said Muo said.

She said the one-day engagement created a safe and engaging learning environment for the girls to explore issues around bodily autonomy, informed decision-making, and economic independence.

Muo, however, expressed gratitude to its partners and stakeholders for helping build the girl-child. “We acknowledge WRTHY, for its steady support and for connecting the programme with strong voices for change. UNFPA, for delivering rights-based SRHR education in a clear, age-appropriate manner.

“EDC Alumni Network, for a practical and engaging financial literacy session that boosted the girls’ confidence. And the FCT Secondary Education Board, for their endorsement and continued support for girl-focused education,” she said.

The Founder, JustAskSaisy Enterprise, Mrs Esesua Adeyemi, and one of the facilitators at the training, stressed the need for self-discovery. “We are raising girls who will not just ask for a seat at the table. They will build their own. Every girl we reached now knows that her voice, her choices, and her future matter,” Adeyemi said.

Another facilitator at the training, Dr Kelechi Anyikude of WRTHY, also inspired confidence in the schoolgirls for a greater future. “I am deeply passionate about empowering young girls and helping them realise their full potential. Education and mentorship play a crucial role in shaping brighter futures, and this event offered me a meaningful way to contribute to that cause.

“My hope was to inspire confidence, share knowledge, and promote real opportunities for girls to lead and succeed.”