UNICEF Launches “Yes! Girl” Podcast to Amplify Voices of Adolescent Girls
By Aishat J Ahmad
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a youth-driven digital platform known as the “Yes! Girl” Podcast to provide adolescent girls in Nigeria with a space to express their views, share experiences and discuss issues affecting their lives.
The initiative, designed for girls aged between 9 and 19, aims to encourage open conversations around topics such as education, mental health, menstrual health, HPV prevention, gender equality, leadership and climate action.
Speaking during the launch event held to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2026, UNICEF’s Adolescent Development Specialist, Ngozi Izuora-Songu, said the initiative was created to promote greater engagement with girls on issues that directly affect their wellbeing and development.
She explained that the podcast was designed to move beyond speaking about girls and instead create opportunities for them to speak for themselves.
“The platform is meant to ensure that girls are not only discussed in conversations about development but are given the opportunity to share their own experiences and perspectives,” she said.
Izuora-Songu noted that the podcast provides adolescent girls with an opportunity to discuss social and developmental issues while using digital storytelling as a tool to expand dialogue and participation.
According to her, the initiative forms part of broader efforts by UNICEF to ensure that the voices and experiences of girls are reflected in policies, programmes and development initiatives that affect their futures.
She added that the organisation continues to support programmes that improve girls’ access to education, menstrual health services, HPV prevention, mental health support and safe learning environments.
The UNICEF official further explained that the agency collaborates with youth and adolescent networks to encourage girls’ participation in decision-making processes through community engagements and advocacy platforms.
She described the launch as both a celebration and a call to strengthen support systems that will expand opportunities for adolescent girls across the country.
Izuora-Songu also acknowledged efforts by the Nigerian government toward advancing the rights of women and girls but noted that more work could be done to expand access to girls’ education, strengthen youth-friendly health services and encourage greater youth participation in policy discussions.
She emphasised that platforms such as the “Yes! Girl” Podcast and UNICEF’s digital engagement tool, U-Report provide channels through which girls can share their opinions and contribute ideas on issues affecting them.
The event featured a watch session that brought together adolescent girls, government representatives, civil society organisations and members of the media to listen to podcast discussions and exchange ideas on promoting the wellbeing, rights and leadership of girls in Nigeria.