By Justina Auta

An NGO, Trueneed Stage Empowerment Foundation (TSEMF), says it has empowered more than 80 female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and grassroots women on how to promote gender equity and inclusion.

The Founder of the organisation, Olasupo Austin, made this known during the empowerment event in Abuja on Thursday, saying it was part of the group’s 2024 advocacy programme with the theme “Radiant Resilience: Every Woman’s Journey.”

Austin said the programme was to alleviate poverty, improve the quality of life of vulnerable and less privileged persons, as well as promote women inclusion in socio-economic and leadership positions.

He added that “after the programme, we want them to become advocates and we need them to realise that there is nothing they want to achieve that they cannot do.

“We want to see them at the forefront, making impactful changes because when you empower a woman, you empower the whole nation.

“We are here to get to the grassroots and also bring them to the fore so that the government can see them, and their voices heard.”

Sophia Adeosun, the Project Officer, Innovation Empathy and Movement for Gender Justice (INEMO Foundation), said the exercise would empower women with skills that would enable them to excel in all areas.

Adeosun said “women and girls lag behind in our society due to certain factors, which can be addressed.

“So, we believe that with women empowerment and girl-child education, we will be able to address them and provide them with opportunities to participate and contribute to the growth and development of the country.”

Dr Oshadare Victor, the Financial and Security Consultant, urged women to key into business opportunities that would empower them and enable them to access funds that would make them at par with others.

She said “you need to look for alternatives and earn for yourself from little things you are doing and start small and grow the business.

“When you grow a business to a point, banks may even be willing to give you additional funding to expand it.”

Mrs Patience Okolo-Dickson, the Founder/Executive Director, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), stressed the need to invest and encourage girl-child education to harness their potential and reduce inequalities.

Okolo-Dickson said there are challenges hindering the growth, development and utilisation of the potential of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and called for support and attitudinal change toward addressing them.

Ms Mainmuna Sani Magaji, a Youth Development Professional, called for mentorship and skill building to advance women in leadership positions.

Also, Ms Oluwatosin Folajimi, a youth corp member, said the capacity building has equipped her with investment skills that will generate income for her, rather than rely on government job opportunities.(NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Angela Atabo

A women-led organisation, Girl Child Value Support Initiative, has inaugurated the “ARTvocacy for Gender Justice” project to empower the girl-child.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Miss Precious Samson, made this known while inaugurating the project on Monday in Abuja.

According to Samson, the initiative is aimed at harnessing the power of art in its various forms, from poetry and song to painting and filmmaking, to raise awareness and advocate for gender equality.

She said that it was also aimed at working towards eradicating violence against women and girls.

“Led by the Girl Child Value Support Initiative, is a community-based organisation dedicated to uplifting and empowering young girls.

“This project is poised to make a significant impact on Nigerian society.

“The focus is to train 100 young girls between the ages of 18 and 30 in a wide array of artistic disciplines, including poetry, drama, photography, scriptwriting, podcasts, filmmaking, animation, and storytelling.

“ARTvocacy for Gender Justice seeks to equip these individuals with the tools and platform to amplify their voices and effect meaningful change,’’ she said.

Samson said that gender-based violence remained a pressing issue in Nigeria, with countless women and girls subjected to various forms of abuse and discrimination daily.

She said that recognising the urgent need for action, the organisation decided to take a proactive stance by harnessing the transformative power of art to address this pervasive societal problem.

She said that through the medium of art, participants in the ARTvocacy for Gender Justice project would have the opportunity to express their experiences, insights, and aspirations.

Samson added that they would also engage with broader audiences to foster dialogue and promote understanding.

“By leveraging art as a tool for advocacy and social change, the project aims to challenge harmful stereotypes, dismantle patriarchal structures, and ultimately create a more inclusive and equitable society for all,’’ she said.

Samson said that the inauguration of the project represented a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence in Nigeria.

She said that with the support of the organisation and its partners, including local community organisations, government agencies, and civil society groups, the initiative had the potential to catalyse positive and lasting change across the country.

“As Nigeria continues to strive towards a future of gender equality and social justice, initiatives like ARTvocacy for Gender Justice serve as beacons of hope.

“It will inspire individuals and communities to come together in solidarity to build a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow,’’ she said. (NAN)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Abiemwense Moru

By Justina Auta

Arise Monalisa Foundation and One Percent International, NGOs, have advocated the need for greater investment in women and youth to boost their socio-economic and political advancement in Nigeria.

The call was made during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of their conference commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD), themed “Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress”, scheduled for March 28 in Abuja.

Monalisa Chinda, Founder of Arise Monalisa Foundation, highlighted the initiative’s goal of addressing economic challenges by empowering women for financial independence.

“I decided to collaborate with One Percent International management to see how we can reach out to young people who are thriving in their businesses or struggling to help them stabilise in this economy.

“This is in line with the UN IWD theme. In Nigeria, we need the women to be counted in at the helm of affairs.

“Collaboration is necessary and I always hope that women would always come together to support one another.

“We want to help young people and women grow their businesses, “she said.

According to her, some beneficiaries that have already applied for the support through their website will be selected and given financial support, leadership skills, as well as monitored to ensure progress and success of their businesses.

She explained further that through the initiative, they would collaborate with banks and notable individuals to support young female business owners.

“We have a website where we asked people to register and showcase their goods and products.

“We currently have about 300 people who have registered, and we will select the people to benefit from the initiative,”she said.

On her part, Stephanie Nnamdi, Chief Executive Officer, One Percent International, said the application to participate in the empowerment exercise was open to every young eligible woman.

“It is open for everybody to try to get in. But on that day, the people that will get the benefit will be 10 through proper solution.

“The financial institutions are the ones that are going to manage the money for them like a mentorship to ensure accountability.

“It’s not money that you take and spend on frivolities. This is strictly for business and they must be monitored,”she said.

Also, Uchenna Amadi, Strategist Manager, said the collaboration would not only improve the economic status of the beneficiaries but also impacted on the nation’s economy.

“The foundation since 2013 has been a beacon of hope for women who are striving to be the best in their space.

“And this time she has partnered with one Percent International to make sure it becomes something that the country will be concerned about.

“We will create an opportunity for women to learn and their skills harnessed, so we ask everyone to come and support,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other highlights to mark the IWD conference include: panel discussions, exhibition, and launch of AMF Hub and networking sessions. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Justina Auta

Some rural women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) communities have sought for inclusion in  leadership positions in the country.

The women made the call at a two-day capacity building workshop for women in leadership positions in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT.

The workshop was organised by an NGO, 100 Women Lobby Group, at an event to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day with a theme “Empowering Women for a Sustainable future.

Mrs Olabisi Ogedengbe, Leader of women farmers in Gwagwalada Area council, noted the challenges women face in accessing political and leadership positions, in spite of their qualification, experience, zeal and commitment to the cause.

“We have women that are qualified and have the experience and passion to lead in any political position.

“We are often neglected and not given a level playing ground for our potentials to be harnessed,” she said.

Ogedenge attributed the barrier to cultural and religious stereotypes, lack of financial resources, poor leadership skills, Gender Based Violence (GBV)and lack of media exposure as hindrances affecting their participation.

She therefore, stressed the need for mentorship, capacity building, access to funds and full implementation of policies and laws towards protecting the rights of women.

Also speaking, Mrs Sarauniya Erondu of the FCT Market Women Association,  said  some of the political office holders elected or appointed make themselves inaccessible and refuse to keep to their campaign promises of carrying women along during their tenure in office.

She explained that the immense contributions women make in political, economic and social development of the nation are yet to be recognised or reciprocated by giving them the chance to harness their potentials in politics.

“They reach out to us during campaigns because they need our votes.

“Immediately they win, they make themselves inaccessible and refuse to keep to their campaign promises or even address some of the challenges affecting women.

“Even to give our unemployed children jobs, they don’t consider us when they have opportunities to assist” she said.

She urged women to invest in themselves by acquiring skills, engage in politics, and hold their political leaders accountable to ensure they fulfill all their campaign promises.

In her contribution, Mrs Dudu Manuga, the Gombe State Coordinator of the group who doubles as the State APC Woman Leader, stressed the need to empower women in rural areas to engage in politics and leadership positions.

“Let us go down to the women in the communities who want to run for council and local government chairman, let us empower them also”

“We need to empower them because we are leaving the grassroots behind. And if we can carry the grassroots, the numbers will change.

“They will grow to begin to enter into bigger offices at the state and national level to represent our interest”

“Women need to identify those vying for positions in their constituencies and to stand with them,” she said.

Manuga also encouraged women to strategise and plan ahead, acquire public speaking skills, mobilise funds, engage the media and support qualified female candidates vying for various positions.

Mrs Felicia Onibon, National Coordinator of the Group, said the workshop aims at empowering grassroot women to be politically inclined and participate in politics, governance and decision making at the local government and state levels.

“Our own area of interest is governance in politics. By creating opportunities for women, giving them the chance to come out of their shells and be able to participate effectively in governance.

“The outcome of today’s meeting was that some of the participants who want to contest in politics, but can not speak in the public now realise that talking and expressing oneself is actually the ace to it and have acquired public speaking skills.

“So with these programmes in different communities, their mindset will change and when they see a woman contesting, they will see reasons why they should support her,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Sadiya Hamza