Pathways to Empowerment: A Qualitative Exploration of the Effects of Income Generating Activities on Economic and Contraceptive Empowerment and Decision-Making among Adolescent Girls in Nigeria
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Roselyn Odeh, Mary Phillips, Grace Jaworski, Alhaji Bulama, Jenna Grzeslo, Margaret Chat Michael, Abednego Musau, Joy Ede, Mohammed Kabir, Farouk Umar Abdullahi, Angelica Mercado, Olusesan Ayodeji Makinde
First published:17 July 2025 | Pathways to Empowerment: A Qualitative Exploration of the … | VeriXiv
This article published as a preprint in the Gates Foundation gateway on VeriXiv shares the results from analysis of qualitative data gathered during A360’s economic empowerment pilot in Nigeria.
Economic empowerment interventions are a promising approach to address the lack of agency, confidence, and opportunities among adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa. The Adolescents 360 project implemented such an intervention in Kaduna and Ogun states, Nigeria (2022–2023), combining business mentorship with vocational, soft skills, and sexual and reproductive health education. This study explored the effects of girls’ income-generating activities (IGAs) on their empowerment and decision-making abilities.
This cross-sectional study included 30 in-depth interviews with adolescent program participants (aged 15-19) and 17 key informant interviews with mentors and facilitators. Thematic analysis was conducted through two rounds of inductive and deductive coding to generate primary themes.
All participants launched an IGA using the skills gained from the intervention, often building on pre-existing interests. Family support, particularly from husbands in Kaduna and mothers in Ogun, was critical for initiating and sustaining IGAs. Through their IGAs, girls increased their savings, enhanced their purchasing power, and gained greater control over personal financial decisions. This autonomy allowed them to pursue their educational and financial goals. Participants also recognized contraception as a tool to delay or space childbirth, thus supporting their ability to generate income.
With program support and family engagement, girls developed IGAs aligned with their passions and viewed themselves as economic actors. The opportunity to earn income encouraged them to save, reinvest in their businesses, and pursue goals. Programs that integrate skill-building, saving opportunities, and family engagement can create enabling environments for girls to strengthen their agency and economic prospects.