In a move to empower and uplift young girls, the Adunni Save A Girl Foundation hosted the Pre-Girl Child Impact Outreach 2025 at the Lagos State Girls’ Senior Model College, Agunfoye, with the theme: “Becoming the Girl Who Leads Change: Finding Your Voice, Power, and Purpose,” on Thursday, October 16th.

The outreach served as a prelude to the upcoming Girl Summit and brought together students from various public secondary schools across the Ikorodu Division.

Speaking at the event, Comfort Olafare, Founder of the Adunni Save A Girl Foundation, shared the foundation’s commitment to equipping girls with the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to become agents of change in their communities. “What we intend to do is bring together girls from public secondary schools across Ikorodu Division,” Olafare said. “We want you to understand your voice, find your power, and use it with purpose because leadership starts from within.”

Olafare explained that the summit would involve training sessions on first aid, teaching girls how to respond effectively in emergencies. “We want to show you how to grip yourself, what to do next, and how you can save yourself,” she said. In addition, the foundation plans to focus on digital safety and reporting, addressing the growing concerns around cyberbullying, body shaming, and other online abuses. “In the digital world, there are many dangers, and we want to train you on how to be safe, how to prevent these issues, how to report them, and who to contact first,” Olafare noted.

A debate competition featuring topics relevant to girls is also planned, aiming to encourage participants to research and engage deeply with issues affecting them. This interactive approach is part of the foundation’s effort to build confidence and critical thinking skills.

During the event, Olafare also discussed a recent survey conducted at Zumratul Islamiyyah Grammar School, which focused on mental health and menstrual hygiene. The survey revealed that some girls cannot afford sanitary pads and resort to using clothes during their periods, highlighting the ongoing need for support in this area.

To address this, the foundation has established a Pad Bank, a donation program where sanitary pads are collected and distributed free of charge to girls in need. Olafare shared encouraging news about a recent meeting with the regional director of Soft Care Pads, who pledged to supply pads for upcoming programs after seeing the foundation’s previous work. “They were impressed that we bought Soft Care pads ourselves and asked when our next event was. We told them October 30th, and they promised to send us a letter format to formalize their support,” she said.

Olafare emphasized the importance of partnerships like this in ensuring the foundation can continue to support girls who genuinely cannot afford pads. Beyond menstrual hygiene, the foundation plans to expand its focus to include digital training and vocational skills development. “2025 is almost over, but 2026 will be fully loaded with training sessions. We are not just going to talk to girls—we will train them in digital skills and vocational trades,” she said.

The foundation has already begun collaborating with the Agency for Mass Education in Lagos State. Olafare noted that after meeting with Mrs. Kemi Kalesanwo, one of the agency’s directors, the ministry has expressed willingness to partner with the foundation to train girls in various vocational skills. “We have met with them, and with God’s help, we won’t be tired,” she concluded, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to sustained efforts in empowering young girls across the Division.

Omidan Adesola Abdul provided valuable insights on managing menstrual health, highlighting essential dos and don’ts during menstruation.

Regarding menstrual hygiene, Abdul stressed the importance of changing sanitary products regularly and practicing good hygiene.

Abdul also shared some key don’ts during menstruation, including consuming excessive caffeine, eating sugary or salty foods, overexerting oneself, and ignoring menstrual hygiene.

Giwa Rukayah urged the girls to take advantage of digital skills to improve their lives. She emphasized that digital skills don’t have to be complex, citing video editing as a simple yet valuable skill. According to her, everyone can become a content creator and start learning gradually.

Rukayah encouraged them to leverage online resources, such as YouTube tutorials, to learn digital skills. She stressed that one doesn’t need formal training or financial resources to acquire these skills. “You can start learning little by little, and when you get to a particular stage, you are now a pro making a lot of money out of it,” she said.

She also advised the girls to use social media platforms wisely, balancing fun with learning and self-improvement. “You can have fun, enjoy yourself, but don’t forget that you have to also protect yourself,” she said

The Head Girl expressed heartfelt gratitude to Adunni Save A Girl Foundation on behalf of the female participants for their impactful mentorship and support. She thanked the foundation for their dedication to empowering young girls and promoting education, acknowledging the positive impact it has had on the students’ lives.