The founder of the SdgforHer Initiative, Mrs. Hanna Ayilara-Omon, has emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to address poverty, financial inclusion, and access to education, particularly for women and children.

Speaking in an interview, Ayilaran-Omon said the initiative was driven by her passion to support underprivileged communities.

“I have seen people go to bed hungry and men standing on the streets looking for work to send their children to school. I realized that we are not necessarily more privileged than the person next to us; we just have a little bit more. This understanding has fueled my desire to do more for people,” she said.

According to Omon, SdgforHer Initiative has impacted over 2,000 people, including 50 women and girls across the Middle East, in nearly two years of operation.

Beyond Talk: Actionable Change for Women and Children

In light of the recent International Women’s Day celebration, she called for a shift from mere discussions to tangible actions that yield positive results.

“Commitments have been made by various organizations, but what happens next? At SdgforHer, we focus on hands-on, grassroots community impact. We need to ensure women are better represented in political decision-making, improve financial inclusion, and guarantee access to education for children, especially girls,” she stated.

She also highlighted the importance of women having access to loans and funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stressing that such financial empowerment is crucial for economic growth.

Challenges and the Role of Government

Omon acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by non-profits, noting that SDGforHer has not received institutional funding but has been supported by Google.

“We need a proper structure where we can collaborate with government agencies to allocate funds for sustainable initiatives. While the government may not be able to reach every community, non-profits like ours act as their legwork, ensuring aid reaches underserved areas,” she said.

Seeking Sustainable Private Sector Support

Addressing the role of private organizations, Omon noted that while partnerships exist, they are often short-term and project-based.

“Many organizations engage in one-off collaborations that align with their corporate goals. However, we need long-term funding structures to sustain our initiatives,” she explained.

She urged businesses to recognize the broader social impact of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

“When an organization operates in a community where poverty is widespread, social instability can affect businesses. Long-term partnerships with non-profits can create sustainable change while aligning with corporate objectives,” she added.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Ayilaran-Omon hopes to expand SDGforHer reach beyond Lagos to other parts of Nigeria and, eventually, other African countries.

“The impact is not just about numbers; it is about how the lives of those we support are transformed. In five years, some of the children we have helped may be in university. Our focus is on real, lasting change,” she said.

To track progress, the initiative conducts recurring engagements with communities rather than one-time interventions.

“We prefer to revisit the same communities to assess improvements and ensure sustainable development,” she noted.

Ayilaran-Omon reaffirmed her commitment to empowering vulnerable populations and called on stakeholders to prioritize long-term, impactful interventions.