Female Gender Empowerment Initiative (FGEI)

Grace Ndi Manasseh, CEO and Founder of Female Gender Empowerment Initiative (FGEI), leads an NGO dedicated to advancing and empowering girls and women in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The Giving Joy grant supported the second edition of the Kaduna Female Basketball League, a 12-week event dedicated to empowering young girls through sports. The league provided a platform for 40 girls to express themselves through athletics while promoting gender equality.

Four teams competed on a home-and-away basis, offering a structured environment for the athletes. Beyond the games, FGEI organized pre-game talks on important topics such as gender-based violence (GBV), adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), career opportunities, mental health, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), reporting channels, and sports hygiene for female athletes. The games created a safe space for the girls to openly discuss sensitive issues, express themselves, and build confidence.

The League directly benefited 40 girls, as well as 4 coaches and support staff. Indirectly, the event gained significant community support, with over 200 people attending the games and workshops.

The grant enabled FGEI to expand and sustain the League, reaching more girls, families, and communities in Kaduna. It also enhanced the visibility and credibility of the organization as a leader in girls' empowerment, while strengthening relationships with sports associations and local communities to ensure the League's future sustainability.

FGEI will continue to organize training camps and outreach activities to encourage more girls to engage in sports, with plans to collaborate with local schools to integrate basketball into their extracurricular programs.