Advocacy and Awareness

The barrier

Some of the biggest threats to girls stay hidden because people do not talk about them: sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage, harmful stereotypes. Laws exist, but many families, schools and communities do not know them, and many girls do not know their rights.

The numbers show both progress and distance still to travel. According to the 2023–24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 19 per cent of women have experienced physical violence since age 15, down from 31 per cent in 2018. A third of women aged 20 to 24 were married before 18.

What we have done

Illuminate is GCCAI's seminar platform. "Illuminate" means to light up or make clear. It brings stakeholders together to identify the issues facing girls and agree on solutions. We held the first Illuminate seminar in 2019.

Road to Illuminate took the conversation to girls directly. In 2019 we visited:

• Government Secondary School Jabi
• Junior Secondary School Jabi 1
• Junior Secondary School Life Camp
• New Kuchingoro IDP camp

In 2020 we focused our advocacy on sexual and gender-based violence. Our position is clear: girls and women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, and boys and men must be part of challenging the attitudes that drive violence.

What comes next

For 2026 we are rebuilding our advocacy around:

• practical public education on girls' rights and where to get help
• the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November to 10 December)
• a new edition of Illuminate that brings girls into the conversation as speakers, not only listeners

How you can help

• Share our posts and resources with parents, teachers and young people.
• Invite us to speak at your school, church, mosque or community group.
• Partner with us on campaigns, research or events.