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Showing posts with the label Women Empowerment

SkillHer SAW 2026 Wraps Up with Three Practical Capstone Projects

  After weeks of learning, practical sessions, mentorship and collaboration, the 2026 edition of the SkillHer Skills Acquisition Workshop (SAW) has reached an important milestone, concluding with a capstone showcase that highlighted the creativity, skills and practical abilities of its participants. With 72 women admitted into the cohort following an application process that attracted 133 applications, SAW 2026 brought together young women to develop relevant digital, entrepreneurial, professional and personal development skills. Implemented with support from Tech Impact Club Africa (TIC Africa) through the Future Africa Tech Leaders Campaign (FATLC) 2026 Grant , the programme combined virtual and physical learning sessions, practical exercises, mentorship and opportunities for participants to apply their knowledge. Learning, Mentorship and Growth SAW 2026 covered seven learning areas, including Research Fundamentals & Project Management; Social Media, Graphics Design & Con...

Beyond Reading and Writing: Why Literacy Still Matters for Women Today

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Every year, International Literacy Day reminds us of something fundamental: the ability to read, write, understand information, and communicate is not simply a basic skill. It is a gateway to opportunity. For millions of women and girls, literacy can determine whether they can confidently navigate education, access information, pursue employment, manage a business, understand their rights, or make informed decisions about their lives. But today, literacy means more than being able to read and write. Literacy in a Changing World The world around us is becoming increasingly digital. We search for jobs online. We learn through digital platforms. We complete applications, manage businesses, communicate with customers, access financial services, and find important information through our phones. This means that digital literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, and information literacy are becoming just as important as traditional literacy. A woman may know how to read, but still stru...

Every Act of Humanity Creates Hope

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Every year, World Humanitarian Day gives us an opportunity to pause and recognise the people and communities working to make the world a little better, often in difficult circumstances and without expecting recognition. At its heart, humanitarian action is about people. It is about compassion, courage and the willingness to respond when others need support. It reminds us that creating a more hopeful world is not always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it starts with one person choosing to help another. At SkillHer, we believe that empowering women with skills, opportunities and support is one way we can strengthen communities and contribute to lasting change. When women have access to the knowledge, resources and opportunities they need to thrive, the impact often extends beyond the individual. It can influence families, workplaces, businesses and communities. Whether it is creating access to learning, connecting women to opportunities, providing a supportive community or simply c...

Building Beyond You: Why Tara Fela-Durotoye’s Message Matters More Than Ever

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There’s something powerful about seeing a woman build successfully. But there’s something even more powerful about seeing her build in a way that empowers others long after her personal wins. That’s part of why Building Beyond You by Tara Fela-Durotoye  is resonating with so many people and quickly becoming a widely celebrated read across leadership and entrepreneurial circles. At its core, the book is not just about business growth. It is about legacy, leadership, systems, people, and the intentional work of building something bigger than yourself. And honestly, that conversation feels timely. For many women today, ambition often comes with pressure to constantly “do more,” “be more,” and carry everything alone. But one of the strongest ideas echoed through Building Beyond You is that sustainable impact is rarely built through individual brilliance alone. It is built through people, structure, culture, and vision. That shift in thinking matters. A Few Lessons That Stand Out Succ...

SkillHer Meets Plus Recap: Positioning for Global Opportunities

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At our recent SkillHer Meets Plus session, we hosted a powerful live mentorship conversation on Positioning for Global Opportunities with Temilade Ojuade — whose journey spans Bank of America, Andela, and now Brookfield UK, alongside being a Harvard scholar. More than her titles, Temilade showed up with honesty, depth, and practical insights — breaking down what it really takes to move from where you are to where you want to be . Here are the key takeaways from the session:   1. Positioning Starts with Clarity Before anything else, you need to know what you’re positioning for . Temilade emphasized that positioning is not random — it’s intentional. Whether it’s a new role, a promotion, a global career, or building a business, clarity about your next step is the foundation. Once you know your goal, the next step is to: Study people who have achieved it Learn their paths (LinkedIn, conversations, research) Adapt what works for your own journe...

Introducing SkillHer Meets Plus: Where Conversations Turn Into Clarity

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If you’ve attended a SkillHer Meet, you know the value. The ideas are powerful, the conversations are insightful, and the shift is real. However, one session is often not enough. Questions come up later. You need help applying what you’ve learned. You want clearer direction on your next move. That’s where SkillHer Meets Plus comes in. Going beyond the session SkillHer Meets Plus is a more intentional, interactive experience designed for women who want to move from insight to action . It creates space to go deeper, ask questions, and get practical guidance you can actually use. What makes it different? Deeper conversations More focused sessions around real growth, career, and opportunity pathways. Live mentorship & Q&A Ask questions, get clarity, and refine your thinking in real time. Practical guidance Not just what to do, but how to approach it and move forward. Ongoing support Clear next steps & support because growth doesn’t end when the session does. ...

When Women Are Well, Everything Grows

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On April 7th, World Health Day reminds us of something simple but powerful, health is foundational to everything we hope to build. At SkillHer, we’ve seen this firsthand. When women prioritize their health, they show up stronger, dream bigger, and go further. Yet, for many women and girls, wellness is often pushed aside in the face of daily responsibilities and the pursuit of opportunity. But progress without wellness is difficult to sustain. This is why our work goes beyond skills and access. We recognize that true advancement requires a holistic approach, one that supports not just what women can do, but how they live, grow, and navigate their journeys. Through our programs, we’ve seen how improved wellbeing directly impacts confidence, consistency, and the ability to take on new opportunities. These everyday shifts, though subtle, create meaningful and lasting change. It is also what led to the evolution of SkillHer Wellness , our commitment to helping women replenish, build re...

Investing in Girls Today, Advancing Women’s Rights Tomorrow: Moments from SkillHer's recent Community outreach

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Women’s Month often begins with celebration. We recognize the achievements of women across history and the many ways they have shaped our world through courage, creativity, and persistence. Earlier this month, our reflection at SkillHer focused on a simple but powerful idea: Give to Gain. When investment flows towards women and girls , society tends to gain in leaps and bounds. Additionally ,  when women invest in one another through mentorship, encouragement, and opportunity, the impact multiplies. Growth spreads from one woman to another, and from one generation to the next. But celebration and reflection are only part of the journey. This year’s global call from the United Nations emphasizes rights, justice, and action for all women and girls . It reminds us that progress requires more than acknowledging women’s contributions. It requires building a world where women and girls have the rights to pursue their ambitions, the justice of fair systems, and the support of communitie...

Rights, Justice, and Action: Advancing the Future for Women and Girls

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  Every year, Women’s Month invites the world to pause and celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women. It is a moment to honour those who have pushed boundaries, challenged systems, and expanded opportunities for generations that follow. But beyond celebration, it is also a moment for reflection and responsibility. This year, the global focus championed by the United Nations centers on a powerful call: rights, justice, and action for all women and girls. It is a reminder that while progress has been made, true equality requires more than recognition. It requires systems that protect rights, structures that promote fairness, and collective action that turns commitments into real change. Across many parts of the world, women and girls continue to face barriers that limit their potential. Access to quality education, economic opportunities, leadership positions, and decision-making spaces remains uneven. These realities are not simply personal challenges. They...

Stepping Boldly Into a New Year With SkillHer

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  A new year always arrives with a quiet mix of reflection and possibility. It invites us to pause, look back at how far we have come, and imagine how much further we can go with intention, courage, and community. At SkillHer, the turn of the year is more than a calendar change. It is a reminder of why we exist: to create pathways for women and girls to learn, grow, and advance with confidence in an ever‑changing world. Looking Back With Gratitude The past year was one of growth, learning, and collective effort. We watched women in our community show up consistently for themselves, stretch beyond their comfort zones, acquire new skills, and support one another through different seasons of life and career. From our learning programs and conversations, to wellness sessions and community hangouts, one thing remained constant: the power of shared experience. SkillHer continued to be a space where women could ask questions freely, learn without judgment, and celebrate progress, big or s...

When Women Speak, Leadership Takes Shape: Voices from the SkillHer Quotes Challenge

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At SkillHer, we believe that confidence grows when women are heard, supported, and equipped with the right skills and mindset. Recently, we invited our community to share quotes on women, leadership, confidence, growth, and empowerment. What we received was more than a challenge response. It was a reflection of shared values, lived experiences, and collective belief. Here are some of the powerful voices that emerged and what they reveal about how women see leadership and growth today. (We referenced their handles on Instagram)  SkillHer as a Safe Space for Becoming Motunrosy beautifully captured the essence of what SkillHer represents to many women: “SkillHer: a safe place for women, where skills spark confidence, wellness fuels growth, and purpose births empowered leadership.” This quote reflects SkillHer’s holistic approach. Growth is not just about learning new skills, but about nurturing wellness, purpose, and confidence in an environment where women feel safe to evolve...

The Power of Community: Why No Woman Thrives Alone

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In a world that constantly demands more from women, the journey to sustainable wellness and productivity can often feel overwhelming. Between work, personal goals, family responsibilities, and societal expectations, many women find themselves running on empty. But the truth is simple: we were not designed to do life alone . Community is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. At SkillHer, we see this every day, not because we have everything figured out, but because we’re learning, growing, and navigating the journey together with remarkable progress. Community as a Wellness Anchor Emotional and mental well-being is easier to nurture when you’re surrounded by people who understand what it means to be on a journey — imperfect, evolving, and finding balance one step at a time. A real, dynamic community offers: Shared experiences that remind you you're not the only one figuring things out. Honest conversations where women can admit struggle without fear. Connection that reduc...

SkillHer SAW training phase Wraps Up With High-Impact Capstone Projects & Government Commitment

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After weeks of immersive learning and hands-on workshops, the training phase of the SkillHer Skills Acquisition Workshop (SAW) in collaboration with dRPC and supported by the Ford Foundation, ended on a high note with a Capstone Showcase that highlighted the creativity, teamwork, and growth of our participants. With  118 participants , the learners were all grouped into hybrid Capstone teams, each assigned a specific task and represented by two members who made the final presentations. This year’s challenge featured  three practical tracks , each designed to help the beneficiaries apply their new skills to real-world situations. Track 1: Research & Project Management — 1st Place Participants researched potential partners/supporters, designed a SkillHer-aligned mini project targeted at 50 additional beneficiaries , and began early implementation during the workshop. Their clarity, structure, and execution readiness earned them 1st place and the top cash prize . Track 2: We...

Stirring More Than Jollof: What We Can Learn from Hilda Baci’s Latest World Record Attempt

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During the last weekend, the world watched in awe as Chef Hilda Baci once again put herself and Nigerian cuisine on the global stage. Her ambitious attempt at the Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice wasn’t just about cooking. It was about vision, courage, and the kind of grit it takes to attempt what many would consider impossible. From the start, Hilda’s journey was marked by adaptability. Originally planning to cook 250 bags of rice, she adjusted down to 200 due to equipment limitations. Even with this shift, the scale of the project remained monumental. And when the giant pot unexpectedly collapsed during weighing, it was a powerful reminder that setbacks can show up even in our best-planned journeys. Yet what stood out was the spirit around her: no panic, just resilience, community support, and an unshaken belief that her effort had already made history. At SkillHer, we see stories like this as more than headlines. They carry lessons for every woman striving...

Effective Leadership, Communication & GBV Prevention; highlights from an insight packed SAW session

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One thing we love about our SAW sessions; whether physical or virtual is how they always bring fresh energy and practical tools. Our session with Mrs. Funke Femi-Ojo Falade:  a passionate public health practitioner and advocate for women’s issues was no different. Together, we explored how leadership and communication can be powerful tools in preventing gender-based violence (GBV). Mrs. Falade reminded us that leadership goes beyond titles; it’s about inspiring change. From everyday women driving community initiatives to icons like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, history shows women have always shaped society. Yet Nigerian women remain underrepresented in leadership and politics, despite unlimited potential. Communication as a Superpower We also leaned into communication as a superpower. Skills like active listening, using “I statements,” being assertive without aggression, and paying attention to non-verbal cues can strengthen influence and shift outcomes. In GBV contexts especially, they...

The SAW Journey Continues

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Our Skills Acquisition Workshop (SAW) in partnership with the dRPC has been nothing short of transformative — and the journey is still unfolding beautifully. Week after week, participants are unlocking new skills, gaining confidence, and discovering how much they can achieve when they lean in and learn together. In recent sessions, we’ve explored some highly practical areas that cut across business, personal growth, and employability: Social Media Management In today’s digital world, visibility is everything. Participants learned how to navigate different platforms, create engaging content, and manage communities online. Beyond likes and shares, they now understand how social media can be a tool for building brands and driving real opportunities. Sales & Marketing No matter how great a product or service is, it won’t thrive without effective marketing. This session opened participants’ eyes to the art and science of selling — understanding customers, crafting compelling offers,...