Fourteen years ago, the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) began in a small shop with little more than an idea, determination and what its founder describes as a step of faith.

Today, the women-led organization works across multiple areas of women’s rights, youth development, gender-based violence prevention, democratic participation and policy advocacy in Nigeria and beyond.

Marking its 14th anniversary, NIGAWD Executive Director Abimbola Aladejare-Salako reflected on the journey and renewed the organization’s commitment to advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.

“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 said.

NIGAWD was established on 17 September 2012. Aladejare-Salako said the organization emerged from a vision she received earlier that year and a decision to pursue it despite having limited support.

“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,” she said.

The organization’s first institutional funding came through the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund, implemented through UNDP and UNODC. Aladejare-Salako credits partnerships with development organisations and other supporters with helping NIGAWD grow from its modest beginnings.

Today, its work spans seven broad areas: socio-economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention of gender-based violence, elimination of female genital mutilation, policy advocacy, electoral integrity and human capital development.

Reaching Women and Girls Who Need Support

Some of NIGAWD’s programmes focus directly on people facing difficult circumstances.

The organisation has worked to rescue children living on the streets and support teenage mothers in returning to school. It has also implemented economic empowerment programmes for widows and orphans, with a focus on helping beneficiaries build greater financial independence and long-term stability.

Its work with young people also extends to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Through programmes including When Girls Talk and When Boys Konnet, NIGAWD says it has reached more than 10,000 girls and boys with information on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The organization has also adapted its outreach to the digital spaces where young people increasingly communicate.

Its AskNIVI platform, which operates through WhatsApp, provides sexual and reproductive health information, while social media campaigns, digital engagement and artificial intelligence-generated videos form part of its broader communication strategy.

For NIGAWD, combining grassroots engagement with digital advocacy has become increasingly important as women and girls navigate both physical and online spaces.

Taking the Fight Against FGM Beyond Nigeria

NIGAWD’s advocacy against female genital mutilation has also extended beyond Nigeria.

In 2016, Aladejare-Salako represented the campaign at the first End FGM Summit in Washington, United States.

Between 2016 and 2019, she served as the African Union Saleema Youth Ambassador for West Africa and as an End FGM Ambassador. In those roles, she participated in advocacy efforts and discussions around frameworks addressing female genital mutilation across Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Egypt, The Gambia, Kenya, Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Her work on gender-based violence has also focused on how survivors are treated after they disclose their experiences.

NIGAWD’s approach combines prevention, survivor support and ethical storytelling. At Expo 2020 Dubai, Aladejare-Salako advocated a “Do No Harm” approach to reporting and documenting survivors’ experiences, stressing the importance of protecting their dignity.

She has also served on the Civil Society Africa Reference Group on the Spotlight Initiative.

From Policy Advocacy to the Ballot Box

NIGAWD’s work extends beyond direct community programmes into law, policy and democratic participation.

The organization has advocated for implementation of the Maputo Protocol and has engaged with initiatives such as the Ekiti Youth Agenda, focusing on stronger legal and policy protections for women and young people.

Electoral participation and integrity have also become significant parts of its work.

Through initiatives including Vote Not Fight: Election No Be War and YERP Naija, NIGAWD has promoted peaceful elections and youth participation across Nigeria’s six South-West states.

More recently, the organisation spearheaded the Osun State Governorship Election Situation Room, where it handled data integration and provided specialised compliance training to legal assessors.

The work reflects a broader understanding of women’s empowerment that goes beyond economic independence or social services to include participation in the institutions that shape public life.

A Legacy Built Through People

Perhaps one of NIGAWD’s most enduring contributions has been the people it has trained along the way.

According to its anniversary statement, the organisation has trained and developed young graduates and volunteers throughout its 14-year journey. Many former staff members and volunteers, known as NIGAWD alumni, now work across different sectors in Nigeria and other African countries.

For an organization that began in a small shop, the growth represents more than an expansion of programmes.

It reflects the development of a network of women, young people, advocates and professionals who have passed through its work and carried aspects of that experience into other institutions and communities.

As NIGAWD marks 14 years, Aladejare-Salako’s reflection returns to the idea that began the organization’s journey: faith in a vision and the willingness to act on it.

What started as a small initiative has grown into a platform working across women’s rights, health, economic empowerment, democratic participation and policy advocacy.

Its anniversary pledge is to continue that work, strengthening the voices of women and girls, supporting vulnerable communities, challenging harmful practices and contributing to more inclusive democratic institutions across Nigeria and Africa.

By Umm e Habiba, Pakistan