Advancing Foundational Learning, Safe Learning Environments, and Girls’ Empowerment through Community-Based Interventions in Nigeria

1. Background

The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Nigeria implements community-based interventions aimed at improving foundational learning outcomes for girls in underserved and rural communities.

Despite progress in access to education, many girls continue to face barriers such as poverty, socio-cultural norms, school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), and limited access to safe and inclusive learning environments. These challenges negatively affect early literacy, numeracy development, retention, and transition in education.

This initiative responds to these gaps by integrating foundational learning support, gender-responsive education practices, protection mechanisms, and girls’ empowerment structures to create holistic and sustainable education outcomes.

1. Objectives

• Improve foundational literacy and numeracy skills among girls in target communities
• Promote safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive learning environments
• Prevent and respond to school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV)
• Strengthen community support for girls’ education and retention
• Empower girls through leadership, voice, and participation platforms
• Enhance teacher capacity on gender-responsive pedagogy and safeguarding

1. Target Beneficiaries

• Girls in early childhood and primary education, especially in underserved and rural communities
• Teachers and school administrators
• Parents and caregivers
• Community and religious leaders
• School-based management committees and education authorities

1. Implementation Approach The initiative adopts a multi-layered, participatory, and community-driven approach: a. Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Community sensitization on the importance of girls’ education and foundational learning
• Dialogue sessions with parents, traditional and religious leaders
• Advocacy to address socio-cultural barriers limiting girls’ education b. School-Based Foundational Learning Support
• Support for improved early literacy and numeracy practices
• Provision of learning support materials where applicable
• Promotion of gender-responsive classroom teaching methodologies c. Capacity Strengthening
• Training of teachers on gender-responsive pedagogy
• Capacity building for school administrators and school management committees
• Continuous support for improved teaching practices d. Safe Learning Environment (SRGBV Prevention and Response)
• Training for teachers and school staff on SRGBV prevention and response
• Establishment and strengthening of child safeguarding and referral mechanisms
• Awareness creation on protection, safety, and reporting systems within schools e. Girls’ Empowerment (Tuseme Clubs)
• Establishment of Tuseme (“Let Us Speak Out”) clubs in schools
• Safe spaces for girls to express themselves and build confidence
• Activities focused on leadership, self-esteem, and problem-solving skills
• Empowering girls to identify and address barriers affecting their education f. Policy and Stakeholder Engagement
• Engagement with education authorities and policymakers
• Contribution to gender-responsive education reforms
• Use of field evidence to inform advocacy and policy dialogue

1. Results / Achievements

• Improved awareness among communities on the importance of girls’ education and protection
• Increased school participation and retention of girls in target communities
• Strengthened teacher capacity in gender-responsive and inclusive teaching practices
• Enhanced reporting and awareness mechanisms on school-related gender-based violence
• Improved confidence, voice, and participation of girls through empowerment clubs
• Strengthened collaboration between schools, communities, and education authorities

1. Key Lessons Learned

• Community ownership and engagement are critical for sustaining improvements in girls’ education
• Integrating protection (SRGBV) with learning significantly improves school retention and safety
• Empowerment platforms like Tuseme Clubs strengthen girls’ confidence and agency
• Teacher capacity remains a key driver of foundational learning outcomes
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration enhances effectiveness and scalability of interventions
• Addressing both learning and safety creates more holistic and sustainable impact