Lafia Girls Day 1.0 marked the beginning of FishHer Africa’s structured, large-scale engagement with adolescent girls, responding to the urgent need for safe spaces where girls could access accurate information, express themselves freely, and receive support on issues that directly affect their well-being and future.
Held on July 22nd, 2023, in Lafia, the initiative reached 1,000 adolescent girls from diverse backgrounds, including public schools and underserved communities. The project was designed as a one-day intensive intervention focused on menstrual health education, self-esteem, girls’ rights, and the importance of staying in school. At the time of implementation, many of the participating girls had limited access to reliable information on menstruation and adolescent health, often relying on myths, peer narratives, or silence.
The program created a safe and inclusive environment where girls could ask questions without fear or shame. Facilitated sessions addressed menstrual hygiene management, bodily autonomy, confidence-building, and personal development. Particular attention was given to normalizing conversations around menstruation, a topic that remains deeply stigmatized in many communities. Through open dialogue and peer engagement, participants were encouraged to see menstruation as a natural biological process rather than a source of embarrassment.
Beyond health education, Lafia Girls Day 1.0 emphasized the value of education and leadership among young girls. Conversations were framed to help participants understand their potential, recognize their voices as valuable, and begin to see themselves as future leaders within their communities. This approach aligned with FishHer Africa’s broader mission of empowering girls not only to survive systemic challenges but also to actively shape their futures.
The scale of Lafia Girls Day 1.0 also demonstrated the power of community collaboration. The project brought together volunteers, educators, and community stakeholders who shared a collective commitment to improving outcomes for adolescent girls. Their involvement strengthened trust within the community and reinforced the importance of locally driven solutions to gender-related challenges.
Lafia Girls Day 1.0 laid the foundation for what would become an annual intervention, informing the structure, depth, and focus of subsequent editions. Lessons learned from managing a large beneficiary group, addressing sensitive topics at scale, and engaging girls across varying age groups directly shaped the evolution of Lafia Girls Day 2.0 and 3.0.
Most importantly, the project affirmed a critical truth: when girls are given safe spaces, accurate information, and supportive role models, they respond with confidence, curiosity, and a renewed sense of possibility. Lafia Girls Day 1.0 was not only an event; it was a statement of intent one that continues to guide FishHer Africa’s work with adolescent girls across Nigeria.