This text, part of the #ODDStories series, tells a story of Open Data Day‘s grassroots impact directly from the community’s voices.
The event ‘Leveraging Open Data for Child Advocacy in a Polycrisis Context’ was successfully held on 6th March 2025 in Imo State, bringing together child rights, teachers, advocates, policymakers, data analysts, church leaders and community leaders. The event which started at 10am focused on how open data can drive evidence-based advocacy for vulnerable children facing multiple crises, including poverty, insecurity, and inadequate social services.
Key discussions centered on how open government data can improve child welfare interventions, the role of technology in data collection, and the importance of community-driven reporting. Experts shared insights on using real-time data to track issues such as child malnutrition, access to education, and child protection services. Participants explored case studies showcasing how data has been used to improve policy decisions and resource allocation for children in crisis-affected areas.
Joy, a child advocate, emphasized the importance of children’s participation in decision-making processes, stating that “Children have a voice, and open data gives us the power to show the world what we need. When we share real stories with real numbers, we can push for real change.” Her words resonated with attendees, reinforcing the need for inclusive advocacy strategies.
A highlight of the event was a workshop with children, where participants engaged in interactive activities to understand how data can be used to advocate for their rights. Through storytelling, digital tools, and art-based exercises, children expressed the challenges they face in education, healthcare, and safety. Facilitators guided them in visualizing data on issues affecting them, fostering early awareness of advocacy and civic engagement. Also included were teachers and child advocates on data visualization, equipping attendees with skills to interpret and present child-focused data for advocacy.
The event concluded with a call for stronger collaborations between government agencies, NGOs, and tech experts to make child-related data more accessible and actionable. Recommendations included capacity-building programs for stakeholders and the development of an open data platform specific to child advocacy in Owerri Municipal.
About Open Data Day
Open Data Day (ODD) is an annual celebration of open data all over the world. Groups from many countries create local events on the day where they will use open data in their communities. ODD is led by the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) and the Open Knowledge Network.
As a way to increase the representation of different cultures, since 2023 we offer the opportunity for organisations to host an Open Data Day event on the best date over one week. In 2025, a total of 189 events happened all over the world between March 1st and 7th, in 57 countries using 15+ different languages. All outputs are open for everyone to use and re-use.
For more information, you can reach out to the Open Knowledge Foundation team by emailing opendataday@okfn.org. You can also join the Open Data Day Google Group or join the Open Data Day Slack channel to ask for advice, share tips and get connected with others.
