The Ekiti State Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has launched a Safe Space programme for boys in selected public secondary schools across the state.
The initiative is aimed at promoting inclusive adolescent development and consolidating gains recorded in girls’ empowerment interventions.
The programme builds on the success of the Safe Space initiative for girls, which was introduced in Ekiti in 2022 and expanded from 101 schools to 202 schools by 2024, reaching about 50,000 adolescent girls with life skills, health and social empowerment sessions.
Speaking on the new intervention, the Ekiti State AGILE Project Coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua, said the introduction of Safe Spaces for boys reflected the project’s commitment to a holistic and sustainable approach to gender equality in schools.
According to Adesua, empowering girls without engaging boys limits the long-term impact of gender-focused programmes.
“Our experience has shown that for girls to thrive, the environment around them must be supportive. By engaging boys through Safe Space sessions, we are shaping positive attitudes and behaviours that promote respect, responsibility and inclusive school environments,” she said.
She added that the initiative aligned with AGILE’s mandate to improve school retention, wellbeing and learning outcomes, particularly for adolescent girls.
Also speaking, the Safe Space Component Lead, Mrs Gbenuola Ayedun, said the programme would begin with a pilot phase in 10 secondary schools across the state.
Ayedun said that 20 facilitators, two per school, were trained between Jan. 12 and Jan. 16, 2026, to deliver the boys’ curriculum, which mirrors the structure and standards of the girls’ Safe Space sessions.
She said the pilot would provide evidence to guide effective scale-up of the programme.
“The Safe Space model has recorded strong acceptance and impact among girls. Extending the same quality of life skills education to boys will help address peer pressure, harmful stereotypes and behaviours that undermine girls’ empowerment,” Ayedun said.
On her part, Ms Racheal Olori, representing the New Initiative for Social Development (NSID), described the programme as a critical step toward achieving gender-transformative outcomes in the education sector.
Olori said engaging boys deliberately positioned them as allies in promoting girls’ education and wellbeing.
“When boys are equipped with the right knowledge and life skills, they contribute to safer schools and more respectful peer relationships,” she said.
A facilitator, Dr Kate Afolayan, said aligning Safe Space sessions for both girls and boys would help reduce gender-based bullying, challenge harmful norms and foster mutual respect among adolescents.
The launch of the Safe Space programme for boys, she said, further demonstrated AGILE’s commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive education in Ekiti State.