The Power of a Chance: From Silence to Voice

By Habu Efonya, Girl Rising Student Ambassador from Nigeria

A silence heavier than words enveloped me. As I watched the ladies laugh and share the best stories in my constitutional law class, I burned to speak. Countless conversations played out in my head, but a voice whispered, “Let the eloquent ones talk,” so I ended with a smile and nothing more.

"You know this topic," I scolded myself later. "Why didn’t you speak?" I promised to do better, but the same fear of making the slightest mistake kept me silent. As a girl from Taraba State, one of the least developed states in Nigeria, every sentence felt like a risk weighed by the pressure to be perfect. Perfection, I realized, is the easiest way to stall.

My first debate as a freshman in college was not a true debate but merely an attempt marked by stumbles and hazards. I stood trembling, unable to utter a word, until a cold I heard a cold whisper from a senior in class, "Don’t worry, Faith, there’s always next time." I retreated to my quiet shell as if I’d never left it.

Then, everything changed. A classmate, Victoria Agene, gave up her spot for me in a debate. Victoria, our star counsel, could have shone brightly, but she said, "Let Faith try." I was stunned. Why me? Was it pity? Did she feel bad that I’d attended every rehearsal yet never spoken? I’ll never know. But that moment, her giving me a chance, was the spark that ignited my journey as a debater and a law student.

The room was silent as I took her place, uncertainty hanging in the air. No one knew what to expect without our star counsel. Yet, Victoria’s selfless act taught me that a single chance can change everything. It wasn’t about pity; it was about belief in what I could become.

This experience opened my eyes to why individuals and groups fight for gender equality, quality education, climate justice, and girls’ rights. They’re not just fighting for outcomes; they’re fighting to give girls a chance. An organization dedicated to such causes doesn’t guarantee that every girl they empower will change the world, but it offers hope. It gives us the chance to choose to continue with education or not, to leave an abusive relationship or stay, to speak up or remain silent. A chance is all we need to rise, rooted in the belief that our voices matter.

Now, as a law graduate, I see clearly that silence is not our destiny. Every girl deserves a platform to speak, to lead, and to shape a future where justice and equality prevail. I call on all of us, students, activists, and leaders, to create spaces where young women can step forward without fear. Support initiatives that amplify marginalized voices, advocate for climate justice and gender equality. Let’s be the Victoria in someone’s story, offering a chance that sparks a lifetime of change. Together, we can build a world where every girl rises rooted in courage and hope.

Yours in advocacy, Efonya.