Favour Abatang, Founder of the Her Voice Foundation (HVF), is a passionate Girls’ Rights Activist and Campaigner whose work has transformed the lives of teenage mothers and at-risk girls in Nigeria. Through her unwavering advocacy, Favour has become a leading voice in the fight against gender inequality and harmful cultural practices, inspiring change across communities.
In 2020, Favour founded HVF, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering teenage mothers, reducing the number of out-of-school girls due to early pregnancies, and promoting comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Under her visionary leadership, HVF has collaborated with esteemed organizations such as UN Women, Urgent Action Fund Africa, International Rescue Committee, Ford Foundation, and Chess in Slums Africa. These partnerships have enabled the foundation to provide second-chance education, entrepreneurial training, and reintegration support for adolescent mothers, offering them a renewed path toward a brighter future.
Favour’s advocacy extends beyond her work at HVF. As a Research Fellow at the Institute for Development Research at the Data Vile Group in Nigeria, she has leveraged her academic background in Philosophy from the University of Calabar and her Certificate in Theology to address complex ethical and societal issues related to gender and development. Her research focuses on breaking barriers to delivering sexual and reproductive health education, innovative solutions for second-chance education, and eradicating harmful cultural practices that impact women and girls in Africa.
Her professional journey includes significant contributions to feminist and women-led organizations, such as Gender and Development Action (GADA). Since 2020, she has served as a National Youth Gender Activist with UN Women Nigeria, amplifying her advocacy for gender equality on both national and global stages.
Favour’s powerful message of hope and resilience resonates through her impactful talks, including her TEDx presentation, “The Power of a Second Chance.” She highlighted the transformative potential of supporting teenage mothers, showcasing real-life stories of how second-chance opportunities can uplift marginalized young women.
Favour Abatang’s contributions have garnered international recognition, including the prestigious Diana Award 2023 in the United Kingdom and the Girl Child Education Champion Award in South Africa. These accolades underscore her dedication to creating opportunities for young women to thrive in a more equitable and inclusive society.
Through her tireless efforts, Favour Abatang continues to mobilize communities, inspire action, and drive progress in the fight against gender-based discrimination. Her legacy as an advocate and changemaker secures her place among the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent in 2025.
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