The Bowney Young Compassionate Leader Award (BYCLA) was established to recognize and celebrate young individuals who embody Bowney’s core values of leadership, courage, hard work, perseverance, integrity, and resilience. On 2nd April, 2024 the maiden BYCLA award was launched. We received 13 outstanding nominations from across Ghana. Among them, Blessing Barika Zievie stood out for her exceptional commitment to gender activism and empowerment within the Goviefe-Kowucommunity.
A Young Woman on a Mission
Blessing B. Zievie, is a 23-year-old lady from the Upper West Region of Ghana. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Development Education Studies from the University for Development Studies.
Her passion for gender activism and community development was ignited during her volunteer work with the National Youth Authority, where she led school outreach programs on issues such as drug abuse and career guidance and coordinated youth capacity-building initiatives. At Norsaac, she contributed to the PASS Project, which empowered girls to speak out against sexual-based violence and created safe spaces for accessing SRHR services.
Blessing currently volunteers with CorpsAfrica Ghana in Goviefe-Kowu, Volta Region. She uses community-led development approaches to mentor about 40 adolescents, provide skills training for women like soap making, and lead community initiatives like the construction of a community center. Each day, she works to turn adversity into opportunity, demonstrating that sustainable development starts with grassroots impact.
Determined to make a difference, Blessing founded a youth mentorship club to empower and educate young people in her community. However, she quickly faced another stark reality: there were simply not enough books for the eager students. At the same time, she discovered that many girls were resorting to using a single sanitary pad per day—or even makeshift alternatives like rags—because they couldn’t afford proper menstrual hygiene products.
Through the BYCLA Blessing received 2,000 Ghana Cedis . With these funds, She purchased books for the 38 students she mentors, creating a richer and more engaging learning environment. She also invested in both reusable and disposable sanitary pads, giving girls the dignity of managing their menstrual health safely.
Beyond these immediate needs, Blessing conducted menstrual hygiene talks to break down cultural barriers and raise awareness. Her initiative reached approximately 25 adolescent girls, along with their parents and community leaders, creating a more open and supportive environment. The impact was immediate: girls who once missed school due to their periods now attend confidently, while boys are learning to challenge outdated stereotypes and become allies in the fight for gender equality.
However, this is just the beginning. Blessing knows there is much more to be done. Cultural stigmas don’t disappear overnight, and the battle for equal education and opportunity continues.
While the award has brought significant progress, Blessing acknowledges that there are still challenges ahead. Cultural stigmas around menstrual health persist, and sustaining a steady supply of educational resources and hygiene products requires ongoing support.
Looking ahead, Blessing plans to engage parents, local leaders, and more community members to cultivate a sense of ownership over these initiatives, ensuring they continue even in her absence. She aims to regularly evaluate the impact of her efforts, make necessary adjustments, and seek further support from like-minded organizations.
At Bowney, we believe in nurturing and supporting young leaders who are determined to create lasting change. Through this recognition which we hope to sustain yearly, we aim to inspire others to continue striving for excellence and making a positive impact in the world.
Blessing’s story is not just about her; it reflects the resilience of every girl who has ever been told she can’t, every community that has ever been overlooked, and every dream that has ever been dismissed as too small.
We invite you to join Blessing’ to also make a change wherever you are.
