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Photo by Edmond Dantès on Pexels |
By Glory Ayobami Ogunbodede
They were five minds, five flames — each burning bright in their corner of Jos. But separate fires only warm so much. What if they could set the whole city alight?
Storytelling for Africa, Africans and people of African descent.
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Photo by Edmond Dantès on Pexels |
By Glory Ayobami Ogunbodede
They were five minds, five flames — each burning bright in their corner of Jos. But separate fires only warm so much. What if they could set the whole city alight?
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Photo by Masum Rahimi on Unsplash |
By Simbiat Amzat
We have immunization on our minds at Shades of Us, with special focus on The Big Catch-Up.
So, what is The Big Catch-Up?
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Photo by Tope A. Asokere on Pexels |
By Simbiat Amzat
Women are the true architects of society. Every International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the need to empower women, move beyond stereotypes, and take concrete steps toward building a more equitable world.
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Panel Session at the 2025 Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) |
By Cynthia Umeh and Simbiat Amzat
At Shades of Us, we believe that when women thrive, societies prosper. We also know that art is a way to tell stories about the health and well-being of women and girls in a way that provides solutions for societies’ norms that negatively affect women and girls. So what happens when health meets art? For a third year, this has meant the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art (NGA) and the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN).
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Group Photo of Participants at the Inaugural National Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Conference hosted by Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative |
By Cynthia Umeh
Shades of Us attended the inaugural National Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Conference hosted by Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), HIVOS, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), and other partners on April 12, 2025. This is a pivotal gathering dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of internally displaced persons (IDPs), with a special focus on women and girls. We joined this event to amplify the lived experiences of the displaced, spotlighting community-led solutions, and advocating for sustainable action that centers on dignity, empowerment, and equity.
By Simbiat Amzat
The Beijing+30 review presents a pivotal moment to evaluate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a groundbreaking framework for women's empowerment adopted in 1995.
Design by UNESCO |
Shades of Us participated virtually as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event was marked by the launch of an impactful campaign, “Imagine a World with More Women in Science,” which seeks to advance gender equality in the sciences and encourage more girls and women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This milestone initiative underscores the importance of fostering inclusivity and representation in these critical fields.
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Photo by Şeyhmus Kino |
"Education is the foundation upon which we build our future." Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Education is the foundation of any prosperous nation. It drives economic growth, fosters social development, and ensures future stability. Yet, in Nigeria, the education system is being systematically dismantled—not just by neglect but by deliberate actions of those in power who benefit from keeping the masses uneducated.
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Angela Bassett at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Photo Credit: Highsnobiety |
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Photo by Nappy on Unsplash |
Why are Black bodies still disproportionately carrying the weight of disease, suffering, and medical neglect?
Images by Abubakar Balogun on Unsplash |
From the beginning of civilization and before humans began to grasp the true nature of the world around them, hunger has been a long-standing issue. The world’s approach to tackling it has evolved over time, some being successful while others lead to famine and malnutrition. Food aid has been a crucial part of hunger relief, yet we need a more innovative and sustainable approach to tackling this problem.
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Photo by Ahmed akacha on Pexels |
By Glory Ogunbodede
Displacement is a pressing global issue, affecting millions of people worldwide.
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Panelists at the Inaugural Girls Education Summit. Image by Shades of Us |
By Cynthia Umeh
On November 21, 2024, we had the honor of attending the Girls Education Summit 2024 (GES'24), hosted by the Girls Education Access Initiative (GEAI), in partnership with NGYouthSDGs, and in collaboration with The Stand With A Girl Initiative (SWAG), Tabitha Empowerment Centre (TEC), and Shades of Us. The theme of the summit was ‘Championing the Rights of Young Women and Girls to Quality Education in Policy and Practice’, a timely discussion given the significant barriers girls face in accessing education across Nigeria.
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Image by PAGED Initiative at the Amplifying Voices Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Event |
By Cynthia Umeh
On November 27, 2024, the Participatory Communication for Gender Development (PAGED) Initiative in partnership with Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF) hosted a transformative discourse event at Cavic Hub, Abuja, themed ‘Speaking Out Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Its Impact on Girls’ Education’. This gathering brought together advocates, survivors, and key stakeholders to discuss actionable solutions for combating SGBV and empowering girls to access education without fear.
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Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels |
by Atinuke Adeosun
Africa’s digital revolution connects millions to new opportunities, fostering communication, learning, and innovation. However, this transformation also has a dark side. Digital platforms have become fertile ground for cyberbullying and online harassment, disproportionately targeting women and minorities.
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Shades of Us at the Global Girl Leadership Project (GGP) Conference at Waru, Abuja. |
By Cynthia Umeh
Shades of Us was at the Global Girl Leadership Project (GGP) Conference at Waru, Abuja. This event, organized by Strong Enough Girl Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI) in partnership with the Global Girl Project, aimed to address the pressing issue of teenage pregnancy and its ripple effects on young girls and their communities.
Panel Session on 'Driving Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions'. Image Credit: Shehu Musa Yar'adua Foundation |
By Cynthia Umeh
On November 28, 2024, the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, with support from Ford Foundation, and in partnership with Education as a Vaccine, Gender Mobile, and TechHer Nigeria, hosted a public policy forum titled, ‘Driving Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions’. This event aimed to address the pervasive issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigerian tertiary institutions and to discuss actionable strategies for creating safer campuses.
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Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels |
By Pius Onyebujor
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global problem crossing cultural, economic, and geographic boundaries, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Unfortunately, Africa faces some of the highest rates of GBV globally due to factors such as poverty, conflict, and deeply rooted patriarchal systems.
By Cynthia Umeh
On November 23, we had a nice experience at the Movies & BBQ festival: An Evening of Fun, Games, Barbecue, and Movies! The festival was organized by Motion Pictures International Film Festival in collaboration with ATW STUDIOS. The event was packaged by Kris Mokwunye.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with survivors often facing multiple barriers when seeking support and rehabilitation. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes legal, psychological, cultural, and healthcare interventions.
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Photo by David Crypto on Pexels |
By Precious Olayinka
Gender inequality is not just a women's problem. It is a human problem. For society to prosper, everyone must play a role in dismantling the structures that continue to perpetuate gender inequality. Men tend to hold higher positions in many societies, especially in countries like Nigeria, where patriarchy is widespread. This is quite appalling, but it also gives them a unique opportunity to be an ally in the fight against inequality. Here are some ways men can play their part in creating a more just world.
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Photo by ShotPot on Pexels |
By Cynthia Umeh
Domestic violence leaves deep and enduring scars—physical, emotional, and psychological. For survivors, the journey to recovery can feel daunting, but healing is possible. It begins with recognizing the pain, seeking help, and cultivating a supportive environment to rediscover one’s sense of self.
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Photo by Abel Kayode on Pexels |
By Adetayo Adetokun
Beauty and self-care products are an integral part of daily life for millions of women, offering confidence, self-expression, and a sense of well-being. However, behind the attractive packaging and soothing fragrances, many of these products contain harmful chemicals that pose significant health risks. Ingredients like phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde, commonly found in cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, and even feminine hygiene products, have been linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, and long-term health issues, including reproductive problems and cancer. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that 75% of personal care products contain at least one ingredient associated with adverse health effects, yet many consumers remain unaware of these dangers.
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Photo by Blue Ox Studio on Pexels |
By Pius Onyebujor
Twelve-year-old Ella watched her mother standing in the middle of the street shouting at the top of her voice at Uncle Sunny. The ground was littered with a million broken pieces of what was once a couple of bottles yet, her mother's feet didn't bleed.