NGO empowers 200 women with self-reliance skills in Abuja
By Philip Yatai
Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), an NGO, has trained 200 women in Abuja, on self-reliance skills, as part of efforts towards building a life of dignity among the poor and vulnerable.
The President of the NGO, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, said at the opening of the training in Abuja, that the training was part of activities to celebrate the 2024 International Women’s Day.
Jumai, who was represented by the organisation’s Programme Manager, Mr Arome Onoja, said that the women were trained on soap and turban making, packaging and marketing strategies.
She added that the training was organised in partnership with Barek Charity Foundation, to provide vulnerable women with life-sustaining skills to improve their quality of life.
She called on governments at all levels to provide grants and other material support to women with skills, to positively change their lives, and in the long run, contribute to national development.
She said that the organisation had been advocating, training, and supporting vulnerable women in Abuja and environs, with means of livelihood.
“Today, Helpline has joined the world in celebrating women from all sections of the society, to impact their lives through vocational skills with a view to reduce their economic hardship.
“When we invest in women, we invest in the future. By providing women with access to education, health care, and economic opportunities, we can unlock their full potentials and drive economic growth.
“Numerous studies have shown that when women are empowered, economies thrive, and closing the gender gap in the workforce also can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and profitability.
“We, therefore, call on all and sundry to join us in bringing succour to the vulnerable women and other vulnerable groups from all sections of our society,” she said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Barek Charity Foundation, Mrs Comfort Omoya, said that the training was in line with the 2024 IWD theme, “Empower a Woman, Accelerate Progress”.
Omoya said that the training was designed to strengthen vulnerable women economically, to become self-reliant in the society.
She added that beyond the training, the women would be empowered with soft skills and soap making materials to enable them to use the acquired skills to generate income.
“When you empower a woman, it has a ripple effect. You empower her, she empowers her children, the community, and the world,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Safiya Alhassan, who commended the NGO for organizing the training described it as life-changing.
“Now I know how to make soap to generate income and help my family.
“I want to make use of the skills that I have acquired today to start a business, for the benefit of my family and my community, but I need the government to support me with startup capital,” she said. (NAN)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
Published By
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Editor/Assistant Chief Correspondent,
FCT Correspondent,
NAN Abuja.
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