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Karimot
Odebode

A visionary leader and founder of Black Girl’s Dream Initiative, committed to expanding access to quality education and advocating for gender equality in Nigeria and beyond.

THE BACKGROUND

Karimot Odebode Is a 27-year-old visionary leader, poet, and equality advocate from Nigeria. She is the founder of the Black Girl’s Dream Initiative, an organisation dedicated to reducing educational gaps, promoting gender equality, and advocating for female sexual and reproductive health rights.

In Nigeria, 10.5 million children are out of school, with girls from the poorest families receiving just one year of education on average. Limited schooling traps many girls in poverty, while systemic failures leave them vulnerable to gender-based violence. Through her work and advocacy, Karimot strives to break these barriers and make education and justice a right, not a privilege, for girls globally.

KARIMOT'S LEADERSHIP AND IMPACT

Karimot’s leadership has catalysed significant change. In response to rising violence against women in Nigeria, she organized the Ibadan Walk Against Rape, rallying communities to demand justice. Her efforts led to Oyo State’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre and the passage of the Child Sexual Offences Bill, setting a crucial precedent in the fight against gender-based violence.

Through Black Girl’s Dream Initiative, she is breaking barriers to education by equipping young women with essential skills and creating opportunities for out-of-school children. Their Ibadan Schools' Debate Training and Competition has trained over 1,100 students across 55 schools in public speaking, debate, and research. Meanwhile, the Èkó Dára program reintegrates out-of-school children into government schools, providing tuition, school supplies, mentorship, and economic support for families.

Beyond grassroots efforts, Karimot is influencing global education policy. She co-presented the Youth Declaration at the UN General Assembly, advocating for inclusive learning opportunities, particularly for girls. Believing in storytelling as a tool for change, she also uses poetry to spark dialogue and inspire action. Her work has been recognized by bodies such as UNESCO and Plan International, and in 2022 she was named an SDG Young Leader for her contributions to gender equality and education.

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LOOKING AHEAD

Karimot Odebode and the Black Girl Dreams Initiative (BGDI) are focused on continuing their vital work to combat School-Related Gender-Based Violence. Through close collaboration with schools, the organisation engages students, raises awareness, and empowers girls to stand against all forms of abuse. Education remains at the heart of their mission, with a firm belief that it is the ultimate tool for empowerment.

BGDI is committed to creating safer learning environments, tackling gender inequality, and promoting active conversations to drive societal change.

"To me, trailblazing leadership is an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of people around you and beyond. It is an opportunity to create a pathway of change and inspire others with your voice, story and action.

This recognition is a moment of awareness, of acknowledgement and of pride to me. I am really glad that my little quota of change is seen and felt."

- Karimot Odebode

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