On August 20, 2024, the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria Project, a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening women’s rights organizations (WROs), came to a close in a remarkable ceremony held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event, hosted by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, grassroots activists, and beneficiaries from across the country. The day was filled with reflections on the transformative impact of the project and celebrations of its numerous successes.
A Transformative Initiative
Since its inception in 2019, the WVL Nigeria project has empowered over 7 million women and girls across six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This ambitious project sought to address gender inequality, economic disempowerment, gender-based violence, and the exclusion of women from leadership roles. With a total investment of 10.4 million Canadian dollars, the WVL initiative provided long-term support for 182 WROs, surpassing its original target of 100 organizations. It also offered innovative funding streams, including multi-year grants and strategic opportunity funds, which allowed WROs to address the unique challenges faced by women in their communities.
Key Achievements
The closeout event highlighted several key achievements of the WVL project, underscoring its significant contributions to women’s rights and leadership in Nigeria:
- Economic Empowerment: The project helped over 19,000 women start businesses, and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) generated over 408 million Naira to support women entrepreneurs.
- Political Representation: WVL supported 131 women to run for political office, 40 of whom successfully won elections. In traditional leadership, 190 women secured positions in leadership councils, breaking centuries-old barriers.
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response: Over 9,000 survivors of GBV received legal support through WVL, and 78 GBV paralegal structures were created to improve access to justice for women and girls.
- Institutional Strengthening: Many local WROs reported significant improvements in their organizational capacity, enabling them to secure additional funding and expand their advocacy efforts.
Personal Stories of Transformation
The event was made even more impactful by the powerful testimonies of beneficiaries who shared their personal journeys of growth and empowerment. For instance, Regina Kechi Eze, a community leader from Enugu State, described how the WVL project had transformed her community by including women in traditional governance structures. As a result, over 130 women now hold leadership roles in their community.
Similarly, Blessing Alice, the first female president of the Student Union Government (SUG) at the University of Calabar, shared how mentorship and support from WVL partners helped her break gender barriers in student leadership.
Looking to the Future
While the event marked the conclusion of the WVL project, it also served as a call to action for continued collaboration and investment in women’s rights. Both Andrew Mamedu, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, and Jamie Christoff, Canadian High Commissioner, emphasized the need to sustain the gains made through the project. Mamedu reiterated ActionAid’s commitment to lifting 5 million Nigerians, particularly women, out of poverty over the next decade.
The WVL Nigeria project’s legacy will undoubtedly live on, as the strong networks and empowered women it has created continue to advocate for gender equality and human rights across the country. As the project partners look toward the future, the success of WVL provides a model for future initiatives aimed at advancing women’s leadership and empowerment in Nigeria.
