“My course facilitates discussions on critical theories and approaches that enable me to identify and address root causes of issues experienced by young women.”
Date: 31 March 2026
Lauren Daji, a second-year Youth Studies (BSc) student at London Metropolitan University has taken her anti-gender-based-violence initiative to Makoko, Lagos, the world's largest floating informal settlement, bringing menstrual health education and supplies to hundreds of young women and girls.
Lauren is founder of Empowering Sisters Welfare Foundation (ESWF) and spent February 2026 in the community, working alongside the Hope for the Slum Child school and orphanage to deliver workshops on menstrual hygiene, dignity, and health management. The visit marked a significant expansion of her organisation's reach beyond its core mission of supporting young women experiencing gender-based violence.
"The team gained insights into the residents' community spirit, strength, and resilience," Lauren said of the Makoko visit. The experience reinforced her commitment to addressing not just violence prevention, but the foundational health and dignity issues that affect young women across Lagos.
Empowering sisters
Empowering Sisters operates across Lagos by providing safe spaces, educational materials, and practical skills training in sewing, cooking, and computer coding. The organisation's approach is rooted in anti-oppressive practice and addresses root causes of inequality rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
During the visit, Lauren and her team facilitated discussions with girls about the menstrual cycle, hygiene practices, and symptom management. They distributed reusable period pants and pads, disposable pads, and first aid kits, addressing a critical gap in menstrual health access in communities with limited resources. The team also donated educational materials and food supplies to the school and orphanage.
Beyond Makoko, Lauren ran interactive workshops across other Lagos schools, promoting youth voice while training students in practical strategies including breathing exercises for hormonal stress and the role of hydration in menstrual health.
To sustain the work long-term, Lauren established a social enterprise in Ajao estate, Lagos, selling small chops, frozen soups, and drinks. All profits fund Empowering Sisters, creating a model that generates income while building local economic resilience.
Lauren credits her Youth Studies degree at London Met with equipping her with the critical thinking and community development skills essential to her work. "The course facilitates discussions on critical theories and approaches that enable me to identify and address root causes of issues experienced by young women," she said. "Anti-oppressive practice and a non-judgemental attitude aren't add-ons, they're foundational."
Photo: Empowering Sisters visits Oxville school in Abule Egba to facilitate mental wellbeing activities for girls and discussions on health and safety during menstruation. Lauren Daji is featured in the middle.