The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) mentorship program was conceived to address the stark underrepresentation of women in STEM fields but grew into a more robust program addressing other personal and professional needs of the beneficiaries. It began as a shared vision among visionary women who met in New York on the Margins of United Nations Women Convention on the Status of Women (UN CSW 67). In partnership with ASR Africa, a beacon of philanthropy, and guided by a fervent belief in the untapped potential of these young minds, the mentorship program was born in an all-female college in Gusau, Zamfara state.
The program structure includes 30 beneficiaries, three months interface with the mentors and a feedback session from the mentees. The program which is hosted in tertiary institutions and mostly for final year students focus on career, personal and entrepreneurial development. Since May 2023, about 100 young women have benefited from this program across three tertiary institutions in Nigeria and Zambia.
The sessions, which last for 3 hours each provide the mentees with a platform to be mentored through the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the mentors in three focal areas. Through the breakout sessions, mentees can interact with their mentors and ask pertinent questions on the subject under discussion or their areas of interest. It provides a strong bond with the mentees and the mentors providing the latter an opportunity to review the growth of the mentees upon completion of the program.
The impact of the mentorship program is evident in the improved operations of the institutions, and the overall improvement of the mentees. The drastic changes in self-awareness, public speaking, and clarity of purpose on the part of the mentees is a wonder to behold. This multiplier effect will most definitely contribute to the empowerment of young girls in their local communities and society at large. The varied and multi-cultural expertise of the mentors enriches the mentees with global skills and widens their options for the future. Within the institutions, capacities are also strengthened through the introduction of technology and frugal innovations for the live streaming of the mentorship program even in remote areas.
In summary, the ASR Africa Mentor Meetup is not just a program; it is a catalyst for change, a beacon of hope, and a testament to what is possible when determination meets opportunity. From the launch in the FCET Gusau, the Al-Qalam university, Katsina State and the University of Zambia, have also benefited from this program; with other invitations from tertiary institutions across Africa. ASR Africa is committed to leveraging on the visibility of this program by empowering more women, youths and identified social communities with this program.
The mentorship program may last only three months, but the impact will last a lifetime. ASR Africa extends its appreciation to several women organizations who have supported this vision especially Latiwa Development Foundation, B’Lead her Academy and CM consults and the indefatigable Dr. Clotilde Monguya who envisioned this program from the very beginning. With the ASR Africa Mentorship program, the future of mentorship for girls in Africa is undeniably brighter.
