Over 70 Adolescent Girls in FCT Empowered Through Beyond the Classroom Foundation’s Safer Girls Project 2.0

Beyond the Classroom Foundation has successfully wrapped up its Safer Girls Project 2.0, a dynamic four-day program held from Monday, 2nd February to Thursday, 5th February 2026 across three schools in Durumi: Ecwa Academy, Durumi 3, and Destiny Child’s Scientific Academy, Gudu. The initiative reached over 70 girls, providing them with essential knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to navigate the complex challenges of both online and offline spaces in the digital era.

Building on the success of the 2025 Safer Girls Project 1.0 in Kabusa and Bwari, this second phase was designed to deepen girls’ understanding of safety, self-esteem, and empowerment while addressing the evolving risks posed by technology, social pressures, and unsafe interactions in school and community settings. With the generous support of the IGNITE Consortium, the project was able to expand its reach, ensuring that more girls could benefit from targeted sessions that combine education, mentorship, and practical life skills.

Program Overview and Activities

The four-day program provided a mix of interactive workshops, mentorship sessions, and community engagement activities, covering:

• Digital and Personal Safety: Girls were trained on online safety, including the responsible use of social media, cyberbullying awareness, and strategies to protect personal information. Offline safety skills were also emphasized, equipping participants to recognize and respond to risky situations in school, at home, and in their communities.
• Confidence and Leadership Development: Workshops focused on building self-esteem, assertiveness, and decision-making skills. Activities such as role-plays, group discussions, and problem-solving exercises helped girls develop practical strategies for leadership and personal empowerment.
• Mentorship and Peer Support: Participants engaged with mentors and peer groups to share experiences, discuss challenges, and learn ways to support one another in maintaining safe and positive school environments.
• Community and School Engagement: Teachers, school administrators, and parents participated in sessions designed to create a supportive ecosystem for adolescent girls. Guidance was provided on reinforcing lessons learned, promoting safe school practices, and encouraging girls to thrive academically and socially.

Voices from the Participants

Students shared powerful reflections on their experiences:

From Ecwa Academy, a student said:
“I now know how to protect myself online and make safe choices. I feel more confident to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”

At Destiny Child’s Scientific Academy, another participant remarked:
“This program opened my eyes to the dangers of social media and how to stay safe. I can now help my friends too.”

Impact and Outcomes

Throughout the program, the girls actively participated in discussions, scenario-based learning, and interactive exercises, demonstrating increased confidence, awareness of safety issues, and a stronger sense of personal agency. Teachers and mentors observed that participants were more engaged, communicative, and proactive in addressing challenges in school and community spaces.

Raquel Kasham Daniel, Founder of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, reflected on the program’s success:
“Safer Girls Project 2.0 has shown that when girls are given the right knowledge and support, they can navigate challenges in both the digital and real world with confidence. We are immensely grateful to the IGNITE Consortium for making this possible. This initiative is not just about safety; it is about creating empowered young women who can advocate for themselves and inspire others in their communities.”

The Foundation plans to continue scaling the Safer Girls Project across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond, ensuring that more adolescent girls have access to vital tools for safety, empowerment, and personal growth.

About Beyond the Classroom Foundation

Beyond the Classroom Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and empowering environments for adolescent girls. Through initiatives like the Safer Girls Project, the Foundation tackles issues such as teen pregnancy, school dropout, gender-based violence, and online safety, enabling girls to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and personally.