A non profit organisation, the Àlàáfíà Initiative for Gender and Development (AIGD), has unveiled a series of programmes targeting menstrual health, education, youth empowerment and community advocacy.
The organisation was formally launched in Nigeria at an event attended by stakeholders, supporters and other guests.
Speaking at the launch, the founder of AIGD, Dr Temilola George, said the organisation was established on the belief that development should ultimately be measured by the dignity and well being of people. George, whose birthday coincided with the launch, said the word “Àlàáfíà” represents peace, wellness, wholeness and well being, which she described as the foundation of the organisation’s mission.
“True development is not measured only by roads, buildings or economic growth. Development is measured by the dignity of people,” she said. “It is measured by whether a child can remain in school, whether a mother can provide for her family, whether a young person has hope for tomorrow, and whether every individual has the opportunity to live with purpose and dignity.”
According to her, AIGD commenced activities ahead of its formal launch with its maiden community outreach, “Pad with Confidence,” held recently. The outreach focused on menstrual health and hygiene and brought together girls, women and men for advocacy, education and discussions aimed at addressing myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. Sanitary pads were distributed to beneficiaries, while men were encouraged to play a greater role in promoting menstrual health and gender equality.
George said the initiative demonstrated the foundation’s practical approach to addressing social challenges. “For some girls, receiving sanitary products meant confidence. For some parents, the health talk meant understanding. For the men, the discussions replaced misconceptions with empathy and respect,” she said. “We did not simply distribute sanitary pads. We restored confidence and promoted dignity. That single outreach reaffirmed why this organisation exists.”
She announced two major annual projects as part of the organisation’s initial programme framework. The “Pad with Confidence Project,” scheduled for every May to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Month, will provide menstrual health education and support to girls, women and communities, while deliberately involving boys and men in discussions on menstrual health.
The second flagship programme, the “Back to School Project,” will be held every September to support children from vulnerable families with school supplies, learning materials and other forms of assistance. George said the project was designed to ensure that children do not lose access to education because of circumstances beyond their control.
She added that AIGD would also visit motherless babies’ homes and other vulnerable communities, focusing on care, encouragement and inclusion alongside material support.
The organisation further plans to conduct community advocacy programmes on gender based violence and harmful practices, girls’ education, positive male engagement, drug and substance abuse among youths, peacebuilding, social cohesion, environmental sanitation, civic responsibility, volunteerism and community service. Other planned programmes include skills acquisition and entrepreneurship initiatives for women and youths, mentorship opportunities, scholarships for disadvantaged students, community health outreaches and peace clubs in schools. According to George, the proposed peace clubs will expose children to values such as tolerance, dialogue and respect from an early age.
She acknowledged that the challenges facing communities were too broad for AIGD to address alone, calling for partnerships with professionals, businesses, development organisations, young people, volunteers and individuals. “No organisation changes the world alone. People do. Communities do. Partnerships do,” she said, urging stakeholders to contribute their expertise and resources towards improving lives.
George said although AIGD did not have all the resources or answers required to achieve its long term objectives, it was driven by purpose, integrity, commitment and vision. She said the organisation would remain guided by the belief that every human life has value, adding that its success would ultimately be measured by the lives and communities transformed through its interventions.
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