Boosting Female Agency and Leadership: Evidence from School-Based Interventions in Rural Southwest Nigeria

Adebayo Abati, The Sapphires Development Initiative
Olutomiwa Binuyo, University of the Western Cape
Adeola Oyewole, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow

The 2023 World Economic Forum estimates that closing the gender gap in STEM fields could add $28 trillion to global GDP by 2025. Studies show women in STEM careers tend to have higher incomes and greater economic stability, reducing their vulnerability to poverty. Empowering young girls in rural communities with STEM education contributes to social protection and inclusion by providing opportunities for personal and professional development, reducing exclusion and vulnerability. To address this, The Sapphires Development Initiative (TSDI), a nonprofit organization that has impacted over 37,000 beneficiaries in advancing gender equality, quality education, and sustainable development, implemented the STEMXX Nigeria and STEM4Girls projects. These projects aimed to empower 150 rural adolescent girls as STEM advocates. This study explores short-term effects of these interventions on beneficiaries’ agency and leadership potential. A pre- and post-interventional study using mixed methods assessed changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, and aspirations regarding STEM education. Findings showed significant improvement in STEM knowledge, increased confidence in leadership and STEM careers, and heightened awareness of gender stereotypes. Participants also expressed aspirations to contribute to STEM fields and address societal challenges. The success of these interventions highlights the potential of STEM education in promoting inclusion and leadership among rural girls

Keywords: Human Capital, Education, and Work, Gender Dynamics, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Mixed methods research

See extended abstract.