By Charlene Makai

Empower Her 4 Africa, also known as the Empower Her for Sustainable Development Initiative in Africa, is making remarkable strides in its mission to uplift disadvantaged girls and women across the continent. Through education, skills acquisition, and mentorship, the non-profit organization is working to dismantle barriers such as illiteracy, poverty, and financial dependency, which hinder women’s socio-economic progress.

Founded on the belief that equipping women with education and skills is key to breaking cycles of poverty, the NGO is committed to empowering women to become self-reliant and active contributors to economic development.

A Spotlight on FGM Awareness in Dakwa Village

One of the organization’s most impactful interventions occurred earlier today, February 6, 2020, as Empower Her 4 Africa marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with a sensitization program in Dakwa village, along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.

Led by the Executive Director, Charlene Charmwakat Makai, the team engaged the Dakwa community in a targeted awareness campaign against FGM, a harmful cultural practice with severe health and psychological consequences. The densely populated community had long grappled with high FGM prevalence rates, but this initiative aimed to turn the tide.

At the Dakwa village medical center, the team conducted counseling sessions with nursing mothers, many of whom had undergone FGM themselves. One compelling story emerged from a mother of twin girls who had initially planned to subject her newborns to the practice. Following the team’s intervention, she made the courageous decision to abandon the tradition, protecting her daughters from a lifetime of potential harm.

Measurable Impact

Empower Her 4 Africa’s efforts in Dakwa have already produced significant results:
• 20 women, including the mother of twin girls, pledged to abandon FGM for their daughters.
• Over 50 women participated in workshops, gaining critical knowledge about the dangers of FGM and alternative cultural practices.

These figures highlight the tangible change the organization is driving within communities.

A National Crisis and a Local Solution

FGM remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, which accounts for approximately 19.9 million survivors—nearly 10% of the global total. While prevalence among women aged 15–49 has decreased in recent years, rates among girls aged 0–14 have alarmingly risen, underscoring the urgent need for grassroots interventions like those led by Empower Her 4 Africa.

The organization’s campaign in Dakwa exemplifies how community-level education and engagement can directly combat harmful practices. By addressing deeply rooted cultural norms and providing viable alternatives, Empower Her 4 Africa is contributing to the national and global movement to eradicate FGM.

Empowering a Future Without Fear

Through its work, Empower Her 4 Africa is not only saving lives but also fostering a future where women and girls can thrive without fear or limitations. From literacy programs to targeted interventions like the FGM campaign in Dakwa, the organization is proving that sustainable change begins with empowering individuals and communities.

Empower Her 4 Africa stands as a beacon of hope, advocating for a healthier, more equitable society—one community at a time.