NGO empowers 1,250 women on entrepreneurial skills in Bauchi
By Ahmed Kaigama
An NGO, Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) in Bauchi has empowered 1,250 women with skills acquisition for self-reliance, income generating tools between 2019 to 2023 in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.
Mrs Altine Bani, Program Manager, Women Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project (WVL-N) of the NGO, stated this in an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday in Bauchi.
She said the empowerment was conducted under the Women Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project (WVL-N) with the support of Action Aid Nigeria funded by Global Affairs Canada.
“From 2019 to 2023, FAWOYDI empowered 1250 women in leadership processes and income-generating activities, ranging from skills acquisition, animal husbandry, groundnut processing and detergent. tailoring, bakery saloon among others.
“The WVL-N project also addresses Gender-Based Violence, enhancing women’s economic empowerment, and fostering participation of women in leadership roles across the State.
“We covered 10 communities of Alkaleri, Chinkani, Doguwa, Gar, Giade Isawa, Gwallagan Mayaki, Isawa, Yelwan Kagadama and Yashi spanning three LGAs of Bauchi, Alkaleri and Giade,” She said
Bani further said the project also established 15 Saving Loan Groups (SLG) in the 10 communities saving N18,246,000.00 from 2022 to date and shared among the group members that boost their businesses.
The Program Manager said the project also advocates posting female health personnel as the permanent officer-in-charge of Chikani Primary Health Care Center for the first time.
“We also distribute writing materials worth N15,000.00 to Central Primary School in Gar by women peer groups and male advocates,” she said.
She further revealed that 15 GBV cases were successfully referred to appropriate institutions.
Bani explained that the formation of Women’s peer education groups and the establishment of a women’s leadership forum were integral components of the initiative.
“Both were designed to break barriers and elevate women’s status from the grassroots to higher echelons.
She added that FAWOYDI played a vital role in facilitating and supporting the registration of the Alkaleri women’s peer group with the Local Government Cooperative and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development.
Bani however lauded the WVL-N-Project, CBOs, Partners and ASHH Foundation who secured the grant for implementing the project among others.