By Godwin Ajom
Women and girls, including those with disabilities, in Cross River State and 23 other Nigerian states, have benefitted from a substantial investment of over two billion Naira. This five-year project is funded by ActionAid, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and local partners.
The project, which runs from 2019 to June 2024, aims to address six primary goals: combating gender-based violence, promoting women’s economic justice and empowerment, increasing women’s political participation, safeguarding sexual and reproductive health rights, ensuring the socio-economic inclusion of elderly women, and enhancing education for women and girls.
In total, ActionAid and GAC is said to have invested N2,233,578,250.92 in supporting women, girls, and people with disabilities across 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project has impacted beneficiaries through three local women’s rights organizations (LWROs),12 Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and 67 communities within Cross River State alone.
Throughout the five-year period, the project has reached one million, one hundred and fifty thousand, one hundred and fifty women and girls, including those with disabilities, across 24 states and the FCT.
The initiative has strengthened the systems and programing abilities of 100 women-led organizations, with 182 of these organizations receiving funding from three different streams. Additionally, 47 women’s rights-related legislations, policies, and commitments were influenced at both sub-national and national levels, with 190 women making history as members of traditional leadership councils in four of the 24 project states.
The report further highlights that 14,781 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence were supported, and N271,445,478 (250,637 CAD) was saved by 7,563 women through village savings and loan associations.
Patricia David, a local partner, noted that the funds are saved in banks for security reasons and disbursed annually to support business ventures within the communities.
Cross River State’s First Lady, Mrs. Eyoawan Bassey Otu, represented by Dr. Comfort Oko, expressed gratitude to ActionAid and GAC, and pledged support for continuing such initiatives in the state.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Dr. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, praised the project’s success in increasing women’s voices, participation, and visibility in leadership roles, particularly in Enugu, Lagos, Cross River, Kwara, Kebbi, Gombe, and the FCT. She commended ActionAid Nigeria’s dedication throughout the project’s implementation.
The project’s beneficiaries are expected to continue growing and becoming independent voices by 2030. During the report presentation in Calabar, some beneficiaries showcased their skills and empowerment achievements