In northern Nigeria, cultural beliefs, early marriage, and poverty create significant barriers to girls’ education. In communities like Jemagu in the Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State, many girls are discouraged from pursuing education beyond secondary school, as it is believed that higher education diminishes their marriage prospects.
As of October 2023, girls comprised the majority of the 989,234 out-of-school youths in Kano. To combat this trend, communities in Kano are embracing Safe Spaces.
Spearheaded by the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative (IWEI), these Safe Spaces provide tailored mentorship and academic assistance for girls from marginalised communities, particularly those attending government schools. Each cohort includes a mentor, a volunteer, and 17 to 20 mentees.
At the beginning of this year, Edugist paid a visit to one of the Safe Spaces. This reporter had the opportunity to interact with both mentors and mentees. The mentors shared stories of progress and perseverance, while the mentees opened up about their journey.
Maimuna Shehu, a 7-year-old, began her journey in the safe space showing little interest in learning. Mentors patiently guided her, focusing on her participation, hygiene, and behaviour. Over time, Maimuna transformed. She came to sessions clean and well-groomed, volunteered to help others, and began speaking confidently in English. She now proudly shares her love for learning with friends and siblings.
Zainab Aliyu, also 7, entered the safe space with limited literacy and numeracy skills. Despite challenges at home, her determination to learn never wavered. With tailored support and encouragement from mentors, Zainab progressed from struggling to write her name to confidently blending sounds and forming words. Her self-esteem grew, and she became an active, engaged learner.
Ummulkhairi, an 8-year-old, initially struggled with shyness and a speech impediment, making her reluctant to participate. Mentors created a safe space for her to express herself, and with time, her confidence blossomed. She became an enthusiastic participant in reading and group discussions, developing a passion for spelling and wordplay.
Designed for children aged between 6 to 8, the sessions run from 2 to 4 PM daily, supplementing regular school lessons.
The initiative began in the Kawo community with 20 Mentees and has expanded to Daurawa, Giginyu, and Nomadic communities in the Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano. Giginyu actively sought out the program, while the Nomadic community hosts a significant number of refugees. Over time the Mentees have increased to 165, but due to relocations and changes in environment, 150 are currently present.
Locations for these safe spaces are chosen after consultation with community leaders, who recommend secure venues that minimise distractions. While schools are often used, the homes of community leaders also serve as alternative sites. This approach allows the utilisation of existing structures rather than constructing new ones, making the program adaptable and resource-efficient.
Over the past four years, the program has evolved. Initially, it provided direct scholarships to students for enrollment in various schools. However, it was observed that many scholars struggled academically due to their educational backgrounds, resulting in low performance. To address this, the approach was revised. Instead of immediate enrollment, students are now first placed in safe spaces where they receive additional support and nurturing before transitioning into the scholarship program.
At the end of this period, outstanding students are awarded scholarships to continue their education, while those needing further support return to their regular schools.
Aisha Aminu, the Program Lead on Education at IWEI, explains that one of its strategic objectives is to increase enrollment and retention rates for marginalised girls in Kano State.
Aisha added that participants receive additional support, including transportation assistance and dignity kits distributed three times during the course of the program. These kits contain essential hygiene products like detergent, toothpaste, soap, vaseline, brushes, and panties to address practical needs and boost the girls’ confidence. For many, these supplies are otherwise inaccessible due to financial constraints.
On January 24, IWEI mentors and volunteers marked the International Day of Education by celebrating with mentees in Safe Spaces. The girls were encouraged to bring their friends. With the guidance of their mentors, the mentees took the lead in organising the event, showcasing their confidence and leadership skills. The celebration featured dance and drama performances, culminating in a debate competition that highlighted the girls’ growing abilities.
Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, former Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and a member of the Department of Information and Media Studies at Bayero University Kano, emphasised that the Safe Spaces Initiative has created a valuable impact in the lives of both mentees and scholars.
“It’s not that parents don’t want their daughters to be educated,” said Professor Abdullah. “The issue is that the government has not provided enough spaces for girls to access education. Parents are willing to send their children to school, but they need assurance that the environment is safe and conducive to learning.”
Despite these successes, the program faces limitations. Professor Adamu added that there is need for IWEI to ensure the safety of girls beyond the designated Safe Spaces. He noted in an interview that while the initiative provides valuable opportunities, it must address the continuity of support for those who do not secure scholarships.
Professor Adamu also raised concerns about reintegrating non-scholarship recipients back into their former schools, suggesting instead the development of entrepreneurial training programs within the Safe Spaces. This approach, he submits, would equip girls with essential skills for self-sufficiency, catering to those who may not pursue formal education.
One of the Safe Space mentees, Aisha Usman, who was awarded a scholarship after the 10-month program, began attending Ladybird Nursery and Primary School. Over the past two years, she has consistently secured the top positions, achieving 1st and 2nd place in her class.
Another scholar at Excel College began when two students, initially chosen for the scholarship, stepped aside due to a lack of interest. Since joining Junior Secondary School 2 (JS2), she has remained dedicated to her studies, making the most of the opportunity given to her. Now in Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2), she continues to perform well.
Professor Abdullah asserts that the program is impactful, even if only one student gains the opportunity to benefit. He stresses the importance of initiatives like this in giving girls a chance to learn and grow.
By integrating entrepreneurial training and ensuring continued support, the Safe Spaces Initiative can make an even greater long-term difference in the lives of these young girls,” he concluded.
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This story was produced with the support of the Solutions Journalism Network and the Nigeria Health Watch in partnership with Edugist.
