What's Worse Than Prisons? Being a Woman in One
My dear friend,
We are two months into the year already, how is 2025 treating you?
Over here at Her Story Nigeria, it’s been a whirlwind! We’ve been endlessly busy laying the foundation for all the projects we’ve got lined up, and trust us, there’s a lot in store. From launching our Entrepreneurship Incubation Program to gearing up for International Women’s Day, we are making big moves. Keep reading to catch up on everything we’ve been up to and how you can be a part of it!
Women Around The World
It’s been a tough start to the year for women’s rights globally, and we can’t ignore the pressing issues that continue to shake us. In late January 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experienced a devastating incident during a mass jailbreak at Munzenze prison in Goma. As M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, advanced into the city, chaos ensued, leading to the escape of over 4,000 inmates. Tragically, during this turmoil, more than 150 female prisoners were subjected to sexual violence and subsequently perished when the women's wing of the prison was set ablaze. This atrocity has intensified concerns about the escalating conflict in the region and its severe humanitarian implications. Meanwhile, femicide cases continue to rise across Africa, with heartbreaking reports of women losing their lives to gender-based violence reminding us why we must keep pushing for change.
Closer to home, we’ve seen courageous women standing up for their rights despite the odds. The fight against sexual violence, workplace discrimination, and harmful cultural practices is far from over, and we’re committed to keeping these conversations at the forefront. Have a story to share or an issue we should spotlight? Hit reply and let us know!
Community News
If there’s one thing we know how to do at Her Story Nigeria, it’s build community, and we’ve been doing just that! Our Entrepreneurship Incubation Program kicked off with over 100 applications, and after a rigorous selection process, 37 women officially came on board! We also had an incredible Vision Board session with our team leads, setting the tone for the year ahead. Want to meet the amazing women steering the ship? Click here to check out our intro video!
The first two sessions of our incubation program have already been packed with learning, and we can’t wait to see these women grow. But we’re not stopping there, March is around the corner, and that means International Women’s Day! We are hosting our GBV Walk & Journalist for a Day event in Lagos, and we’d love for you to join us. If you’re in town, sign up here to be a part of it!
Opportunity Corner
This is your sign to apply, apply, apply! Whether it’s a grant, a training, or a job, don’t sleep on opportunities that could change your life. Speaking of which, we are still looking for passionate volunteers to join the Her Story Team! If you’ve got skills in:
🔹 Social Media Management
🔹 Editing
🔹 Grant Writing
🔹 Fundraising
We want YOU! Apply here to be part of the team.
Article Feature of the Month
Each month, we spotlight a powerful story or article that challenges norms and sparks important conversations. Check out this month’s feature below.
Men as Allies by Aderibigbe Adetola Esther
In 2019, Vassilis Kazas found in his report that while 77% of men in theory did everything, they could for gender fairness, only 41% of women agreed they did. Meanwhile, 60% of the overall respondents said they rarely see men speaking out against gender discrimination. Continue reading.
Annnnnnnnd, it’s a wrap!
That’s a wrap for now, but trust us, the year is just getting started! Let’s keep raising our voices, supporting one another, and making HERstory. Till next month, we stay having impactful conversations in our community. Join us!
Written and edited by Oreoluwa Ojo
