NIGAWD Marks 14th Anniversary, Pledges Deeper Action on GBV, Digital Inequality, Youth Participation

By Joseph Sunday

ADO-EKITI, Nigeria — The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative, NIGAWD, has marked its 14th anniversary with a pledge to deepen action on Gender-Based Violence, harmful social norms, digital inequality and youth participation in governance.

Founded on September 17, 2012, from a small shop in Ekiti State following a vision received in March of that year, the women-led organisation has grown from a local initiative into a continental force for women and girls’ rights, democratic governance and social justice.

Under the leadership of its Founder and Executive Director, Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, NIGAWD has recorded far-reaching impact over the last 14 years.

On vulnerable groups, the organisation has rescued street children, reintegrated teenage mothers into school, and implemented economic empowerment programmes for widows and orphans to achieve financial independence.

On Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, its flagship programmes — When Girls Talk and When Boys Konnet — have empowered over 10,000 adolescent girls and boys. The organisation has also leveraged technology through its AskNIVI WhatsApp-enabled platform for SRHR information, AI-powered videos and digital advocacy to make rights information more accessible to young people.

NIGAWD has been at the forefront of the campaign to end Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, rescuing thousands of girls. 

Aladejare-Salako spoke at the first End FGM Summit in Washington in 2016 and served as the African Union Saleema Youth Ambassador for West Africa and End FGM Ambassador from 2016 to 2019, driving anti-FGM frameworks in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Egypt, The Gambia, Kenya, Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The organisation has also taken the fight against Gender-Based Violence to global stages, advocating ethical storytelling and the “Do No Harm” principle for survivors at the Dubai Expo 2020. 

Aladejare-Salako also served as a member of the Civil Society Africa Reference Group on the Spotlight Initiative.

In policy advocacy, NIGAWD has pushed for the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol and championed the Ekiti Youth Agenda to institutionalise civic participation and protection for women and youth.

In governance, through its Vote Not Fight: Election No Be War campaign and the YERP Naija initiative, NIGAWD has promoted peaceful elections and youth participation across the six southwestern states. It recently led the Osun State Governorship Election Situation Room, handling data integration and compliance training for legal assessors.

Beyond advocacy, the organisation has served as an incubator for young talent, building the capacity of fresh graduates and volunteers over 14 years, many of whom now lead change across sectors in Africa and beyond.

Reflecting on the anniversary, Aladejare-Salako said: “Fourteen years ago, as a young woman with no support, I took a leap of faith to obey an instruction. I didn’t know if this vision would collapse at year three. Today, we look back at a 14-year journey of immense impact, powered by the grace of God and the dedication of our vision helpers. We have ensured that the voices of women are protected, their stories are told with dignity, and our democratic institutions are held accountable.”

She credited the organisation’s growth to partners including the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund through UNDP/UNODC, The Girl Generation, UNFPA, National Democratic Institute, Equal Measures 2030, Global Media Campaign, AmplifyChange, Equality Now, and the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition.

As it enters its 15th year, NIGAWD says it will deepen action on gender-based violence, harmful social norms, digital inequalities, youth participation and democratic accountability, while strengthening its grassroots presence and expanding its contribution to national and continental policy conversations through evidence, innovation and partnerships.