Girls’ Power Initiative’s core programme is the weekly Safe Space Lessons that run every Sunday from 3-6pm for girls aged 10-18. These sessions are funded by the Netherlands Embassy.
During these free sessions, trained facilitators provide factual and non-judgemental information for the girls in the program. The facilitators lead GPI girls through age-appropriate topics through a gender perspective. Some of the themes covered in the classes are youth development, growing up, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, human sexuality, community mobilization and social action, issues of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health and rights, rights of the child, etc.
Once girls graduate from the program, they are expected to utilize their new found knowledge and skills to carry out social work interventions in communities on issues such as early marriage, teenage pregnancies, female genital mutilation and other harmful traditional practices.
Safe Space Lessons are set up in three levels and girls progress from level one to level three in age-stratified groups. The graphic below demonstrates this structure.
Level One
Shining Stars
Shining Stars are mainly girls between 10 and 11 years old. They stand out for their desire to learn, their assertiveness and the boldness of their youth.
Precious
Precious Girls are 12 and 13 years old, and they are distinct and highly valuable gems that stand out at their age as assets in the struggle for gender equality.
Silvers
Silvers are 14 and 15 year-old girls. They see themselves as clear, levelheaded, convincing and persuasive assets for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Pearls
Pearls are girls aged 16 and above who see themselves as rare gems exhibiting superior and diverse knowledge and information.
Level 2
Alphas
Alphas are girls aged 11 to 14 years old and are the pivot of women empowerment. They are bold, assertive and knowledgeable about human sexuality, adolescent rights and responsibilities.
Bosoms
Bosoms are girls aged 15 and above. They perceive themselves as distinct and cherished advocates and therefore the heart (bosoms) of gender equality.
Level 3
Damsels
Damsels are girls aged from 12 to 15. The name literally means young and unmarried, but they are distinguished young women because of their knowledge, skills, assertiveness and behaviour.
Seeders
Seeders are girls aged 16 and above. They see themselves as feminists, and as the seeds for feminism, gender justice, and activism. They are already taking courageous actions to claim their rights and standing up for girls in Nigeria.