Fourteen-year-old Regina sat quietly close to the playing field, her notebook resting on her lap. “I thought my life was already planned for me,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Drop out of school, get married, and raise children. That’s what my mother and her mother did.” Regina, like many girls in Ikom, a rural community in Cross River State, had resigned herself to a life defined by societal expectations—until a mentor changed everything.
Regina’s story is a familiar one in Nigeria, a country with over 200 million people and significant gender inequities in education and healthcare access. According to UNICEF, more than 10 million children aged 5–14 are out of school, with girls disproportionately represented. For many, poverty, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and domestic responsibilities cut short their dreams of an education. In rural communities like Ikom and Boki, these challenges are compounded by cultural norms and a lack of access to healthcare and economic opportunities.
However, change is taking root. Education as a Vaccine (EVA), a women-led organization focused on youth empowerment, is working to break the cycle by equipping adolescent girls and young women with knowledge, skills, and support. Through a project targeting Ikom and Boki, EVA is not only addressing systemic barriers but also giving girls like Regina a chance to rewrite their stories.
Regina’s turning point came when she attended a mentorship session organized by EVA. “The mentor spoke to us about our bodies, our rights, and the choices we could make,” she recalled, her face lighting up. “For the first time, I realized I had a say in my future.”
EVA in 2024 trained 10 mentors from Ikom and Boki Local Government Areas (LGAs) to enhance their understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and contraceptive methods. These mentors, who are embedded in their communities, serve as trusted guides for young women, helping them navigate sensitive topics and access critical services.
The training sessions, which were interactive and deeply engaging, also brought together family planning coordinators from the LGAs’ Primary Health Care centers. The collaboration aimed to strengthen the healthcare system’s capacity to provide youth-friendly services, ensuring that adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can access SRHR and contraceptive services without judgment or stigma.
To support these efforts, EVA introduced the EVA-MyQ platform, a digital resource that provides young women with accurate information on reproductive health and a safe space to ask questions anonymously. “It’s like having a mentor in your pocket,” said one of the trained mentors, reflecting on the platform’s potential to reach even the most isolated girls.
Beyond mentorship, EVA recognizes the importance of engaging the wider community to challenge harmful norms. In three community dialogues held across Ikom and Boki, EVA brought together men, women, and community leaders to discuss the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices.
“The first time I spoke out against FGM, I was scared,” said Ngozi, another mentor from Boki. “But the dialogue gave me the confidence to address elders in my community. It felt like they were really listening.”
These dialogues are designed to foster a collective commitment to change. By involving key stakeholders, EVA ensures that the message of empowerment extends beyond individual girls to the entire community.
For Regina, the impact of EVA’s interventions is already evident. She has returned to school and dreams of becoming a nurse. “Now I know I can take care of myself and help others too,” she said, her voice filled with determination.
EVA’s comprehensive approach—combining mentorship, healthcare system strengthening, digital innovation, and community engagement—offers a blueprint for breaking barriers and creating opportunities for girls in rural Nigeria.
“Every girl deserves the chance to dream and to pursue those dreams,” said one of EVA’s mentors. “We’re not just changing individual lives; we’re changing the future of our communities.”
By empowering young women to make informed decisions, take control of their lives, and demand better opportunities, EVA is proving that with the right support, even the most entrenched barriers can be overcome.
As Regina said, “I know the journey won’t be easy, but I’m ready. I have hope now, and that’s something no one can take away from me.”
