Empowering Youth In Underserved Communities: Girl Power Talk's Impact In Nigeria And Beyond

With campaigns on inclusivity taking center stage in world politics and companies as of late, the issue of inclusion is gaining much-needed attention. With these changing trends that include more diversity, companies such as Girl Power Talk, built on the foundations of celebrating diversity and inclusion, are leading the charge.

Girl Power Talk's vision is to change lives, one person at a time. The organization is committed to empowering women, men and nonbinary individuals to upskill and become the best version of themselves both in the workplace and in their own lives.

With an agile yet multicultural team spanning five continents, Girl Power Talk is a social enterprise that balances profit and purpose. The company's mission is to create a workspace where people are happy, have room to grow and are empowered to give back to their communities.

Providing Opportunities Where Needed

Despite having members from 22+ countries, the team shares a warm and collaborative culture. Whether with international team members flying to the India offices to work together or vice versa or hosting online brainstorming sessions dedicated to building better relationships within the team, Girl Power Talk consciously fosters a culture of inclusion.

One region of focus for the organization, right now, is Africa. In line with its vision to provide employment opportunities to young minds in underserved communities, Girl Power Talk has expanded to several countries in Africa including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mauritius, Tunisia, Uganda and Kenya. Currently, it is focused on bringing change and opportunity to Nigeria, a country with a 70% youth population.

With so many young individuals in Nigeria comes so much potential. However, the lack of jobs is turning its greatest potential asset into a liability. The nation's unemployment rate is predicted to be around 37% in 2023, with the poverty rate rising to 45%.

Girl Power Talk is committed to providing quality opportunities for youth in Nigeria and helping build the nation's future. It is doing so by giving young minds in Nigeria a chance to be part of an international team, work with real clients, learn from mentors and hone their skills as future leaders.

Racheal Bankole, a young leader from Nigeria who is part of the content and media department at Girl Power Talk, has had an empowering journey in the organization.

"Girl Power Talk empowers me to embrace my individuality and defy societal norms without fear. I believe this is exactly what every young girl needs to reach her full potential," Bankole said.

As a law student, she is able to gain experience as part of the company's legal team and work directly with U.S. clients.

"I love talking about Girl Power Talk because it is a dream come true. The mentorship under the co-founders, Rachita Sharma and Sameer Somal, is the best professional exposure one can ask for. They provide ample room for growth and flexibility while ensuring accountability. I will continue to advocate for Girl Power Talk because it changed my life, and I believe it can do the same for other ambitious young women in Nigeria," Bankole added.

Generating Sustainable Impact

While serving its clients to the best of its abilities is vital for the team at Girl Power Talk, it is just as passionate about generating sustainable change in its societies and beyond.

Through its registered 501(c)(3) NGO branch, Girl Power USA, it has established partnerships across Asia and Africa. Projects span from education to upskilling and provide resources to create equality and justice. From investing in team members to educating underprivileged children, Girl Power Talk is making a difference.

Scaling the impact beyond its team, Girl Power Talk collaborates with several NGOs in different parts of Africa.

One such organization is E-Enable, a Nigerian nonprofit run by Eno Okpo to empower, upskill and help differently abled people adapt to society. Girl Power Talk supports it by providing resources, educational scholarships for beneficiaries and organizing skill boot camps for its team. It is currently developing a social media training module to help the E-Enable team gain relevant skills and be able to teach others in the community.

Girl Power Talk has also been in contact with education ministers in Nigeria and other health care organizations in the U.S. who are willing to provide quality services in the underserved region. Its dedication to generating change continues through everything it does and through its global team members.

Footprints Around the Globe

The impact Girl Power Talk is trying to generate is not limited to Nigeria. The organization is also present in different parts of Africa through several initiatives.

In Uganda, for instance, there is currently one doctor for more than 25,000 patients. Girl Power USA is helping raise funds to assist medical students to complete university in Uganda.

In Kenya, on the other hand, there is a swell in the number of street children in the country. The team adopted a children's community center in Nairobi to provide for the monthly sustenance and needs of the 100+ children.

Marion Nekesa, a senior writer who also leads several impact projects for Girl Power Talk in Kenya, said, "During a conversation with our co-founder, Sameer Somal, I mentioned that I spent my weekends volunteering at a local children's home with my friends. To my surprise, Girl Power Talk showed a keen interest and decided to support the home by meeting their needs, which included donating a 10,000-liter water tank. This altruism reflects the company's commitment to fulfilling its promise of changing lives."

Girl Power Talk believes in giving back when and where you can. And with more than 60% of its population under the age of 25 and rapidly developing infrastructure and technology, Africa is primed for growth. What it needs to turn its numbers into a demographic dividend is the right investment in its youth, and Girl Power Talk is striving to bridge the gap in resources and opportunities.