Beyond Her Odds Conference 2025: Celebrating Courage, Closing Barriers, and Empowering the Next Generation of Girls

Over 300 girls from government and private schools across the Federal Capital Territory gathered in Abuja for the Beyond Her Odds Conference and Awards 2025, organized by Beyond the Classroom Foundation to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. The conference brought together girls, educators, mentors, policymakers, and gender advocates for a day of learning, celebration, and reflection on the progress made through the Beyond Her Odds Initiative.

Launched 14 months ago, the Beyond Her Odds Initiative was designed to help out-of-school and at-risk girls return to education, build life skills, and gain the confidence to rise above adversity. The goal was clear — to use every available platform to raise awareness about deep-rooted social and cultural barriers that prevent girls from completing their education, while working with families, communities, schools, and the girls themselves to remove those barriers.

In her address, Raquel Kasham Daniel, Founder and Executive Director of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, reflected on the journey so far:

“Our vision was never just about bringing girls back to school — it was about dismantling the systems and social beliefs that make it hard for them to stay. Over the past 14 months, we have seen girls rebuild their confidence, find their voice, and begin to dream again. That’s what Beyond Her Odds is about — ensuring no girl is left behind.”

Through the initiative, the foundation implemented a series of impactful projects, including:

• Safer Classrooms, Safer Homes, and Safer Communities: ensuring girls feel safe in every environment.
• Beyond Her Odds Show: a radio, podcast, and YouTube platform where women share stories that inspire girls to rise beyond challenges.
• Safer Girls: empowering girls with leadership, confidence, and life skills.
• Go Girl Board Game: a fun and interactive tool teaching girls about their rights, decision-making, and problem-solving.
• 16 Days of Activism Media Tour: mobilizing communities to speak out against gender-based violence.
• Girls for the Future Fellowship: nurturing leadership and advocacy in young girls.
• Reignite Girls: supporting girls who faced setbacks to get back on track with their dreams.

The 2025 conference served not only as a celebration of impact but also as a close-out moment for this phase of the Beyond Her Odds Initiative, even as a few projects continue.

“We wanted to use this opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and bring everyone together,” Raquel explained. “For some of our partners and participants, this may be our last engagement under this phase, so it was important to pause, acknowledge the work done, and appreciate every person who has been part of this journey.”

One of the event’s highlights was the Beyond Her Odds Awards, honoring 13 extraordinary women who overcame early motherhood, abuse, poverty, or rejection — and have now become mentors and role models for the next generation. The conference also recognized Girls for the Future Fellows, who successfully completed their one-year fellowship projects driving change within their schools and communities.

Panel discussions, spotlight talks, and interactive sessions explored the importance of safe learning spaces, girls’ leadership, and collective community action in addressing gender-based barriers.

The Beyond Her Odds Conference 2025 was supported by the IGNITE Consortium, comprising the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Urgent Action Fund–Africa (UAF Africa), and the René Moawad Foundation, with funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

As the initiative winds down, Beyond the Classroom Foundation remains committed to building a Nigeria where every girl is safe, educated, and empowered to rise, beyond her odds.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Beyond the Classroom Foundation
Email: info@beyondtheclassroomfoundation.org
Instagram: @beyondherodds | @beyondtheclassroomfoundation