As part of the ‘ Her World Her Voice’ programme, an initiative between the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Generation Unlimited, and UNICEF to amplify the voices of girls and young women and engage them in meaningful opportunities, 137 young women from 8 states in Nigeria joined a three-day online training on U-Report, a key tool that allows young people to share their opinions and receive up to date and accurate information on specific areas that impact them.
In addition, the participants learned more about WAGGGS’ programmes, Generation Unlimited (GenU), and received an in-depth guide on how to use the U-Report platform.
“The U-Report Online Training Hub hosted by NGGA was an interesting and educative training session. It connected me to diverse girls and young women with the same mindset who are keen to speak out on issues that affect our wellbeing as females from across Nigeria, it also taught us to raise our voices on issues that pose as a threat to our wellbeing and ideas for possible solutions.”
Evbotokhai Deborah Omata, 20 years old
“The Online Training Hub was very interactive and enlightening. It's a great feeling to know that learning online can be that effective. It was amazing to hear about Gen-U Nigeria too which shows that a lot of sectors are keen on the development of the young adult as a useful asset in the development of the nation. An interesting part was also getting access to the materials after the training.”
Adebayo Ayomide, 24 years old
In November 2021, after the learning sessions were complete, the participants were challenged to lead in-person and online activities to invite more girls and young women to experience a new type of youth engagement by registering themselves as U-Reporters.
"I was skeptical about the Online Hub at first. But when I read the details about the programme, it changed my mindset about it. I learned a lot and it made me come out of my shell. I have learned strategies on how to recruit young women into U-Report, which I am currently doing. And it has really helped me to know approach young women which I have not been doing before. Answering polls and giving young women the opportunity to do the same is a major thing."
Oriola Oyinkansola Ayobami, 22 years old
"The training was quite eventful; it opened my eyes to see things happening around me that I have not taken note of and opened me to meeting with more people which is totally amazing. It was life-impacting.”
Akinyemi Abisola Deborah, 18 years old
Through the Girl Guide’s recruitment efforts, in total they registered more than 2,776 young women as U-Reporters. This new group of girls and women joined the more than 21 million young people who currently use the platform as a way of facilitating change in their communities, and beyond.
With special thanks to the UPS Foundation for supporting this work.
Data and Photo Credits: WAGGGS
