The BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation has provided 70 girls in Ibadan with laptops and home solar systems to promote education and sustainable energy. This initiative—led by Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu—aims to empower girls and highlight the importance of home solar systems in tackling energy challenges.
The Link Between Poverty and Gender-Based Violence
The use of home solar systems is gaining attention as a viable solution to energy challenges in Nigeria. On Saturday, the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation—a non-governmental organisation—took a significant step toward this by empowering 70 young girls in Ibadan.
This initiative was led by Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the late former Governor of Ondo State. It is a part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote girls' empowerment. These girls were given laptops and home solar systems, opening up new opportunities for them in both education and sustainable energy.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu charged the girls to take their newfound skills and knowledge into the world and make a positive impact on their communities. This empowerment is not just about education but also about sustainability, and the inclusion of home solar systems highlights the critical role renewable energy can play in shaping the future.
During the closing ceremony of the Summer Bootcamp organised by BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu addressed a crucial issue— the connection between poverty and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She emphasised that empowering girls with knowledge and tools like laptops and home solar systems can significantly reduce the impact of feminised poverty.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu pointed out that when women and girls are financially independent, they are less vulnerable to violence both at home and in society. This empowerment is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and violence, and home solar systems are a crucial part of this process.
Home Solar Systems and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu also highlighted the importance of aligning the Foundation's work with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals which were adopted in 2015 are a blueprint for achieving peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
Home solar systems directly contribute to achieving several SDGs, particularly those related to affordable and clean energy, climate action, and quality education. By providing home solar systems to these 70 girls, BEMORE is addressing multiple goals at once.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed concern over the lack of awareness about the SDGs, despite Nigeria having government offices and political appointments focused on them. BEMORE has made it a priority to educate the girls attending the Summer Bootcamp about the SDGs, thereby making it a recurring theme in their programmes since 2017.
Encouragement for the Girls to Share Their Knowledge
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu urged the girls who participated in the Summer Bootcamp to share the knowledge and skills they have gained with others who were unable to attend. The home solar systems they received are more than just tools for their personal use; they are symbols of the shift toward a more sustainable and empowered future for young women in Nigeria.
Prof. Jacinta Opara, Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University and Chairperson of the event, encouraged the girls to take full advantage of the opportunities provided to them. She reminded them that they are the architects of their own futures and that the skills they acquired at the bootcamp—including knowledge about home solar systems—can open doors to limitless possibilities.
Prof. Opara’s message was clear: with the right tools and education, these girls can contribute to the development of Nigeria and the world at large. She also stressed the importance of renewable energy solutions, such as home solar systems, in building a sustainable future.
The BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation's initiative to provide 70 young girls in Ibadan with laptops and home solar systems is a step toward a more sustainable and empowered future. By equipping these girls with the tools they need, BEMORE is fostering a generation of young women who are capable of making a positive impact on the world.