WOMEN VOICE AND LEADERSHIP PROJECT IN
CROSS RIVER STATE

The Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria Project in Cross River State, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, has successfully empowered local women and girls through grants, capacity building, and advocacy efforts. Training programs enhanced the skills of stakeholders, including police officers, gender desk officers, and faith leaders, while advocacy groups and peer education initiatives addressed gender-based violence and promoted socio-economic inclusion. In Cross River State, the WVL Nigeria Project collaborates with 3 Local Women Rights Organizations (LWROs) and 12 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), ensuring comprehensive intervention across the North, South, and Central senatorial districts. Financial investment from 2019 to date amounts to N292,771,966.63, with an overall direct reach of 731,926 individuals and an indirect reach of 365,963 individuals.

The project has established functional community-level structures, including 2 Women’s Peer Education Groups and 2 Village Savings & Loans Associations (VSLA). Additionally, an Interfaith Coalition on GBV Prevention & Response, a Community Whistle Blowers Group, and an Advocacy Group for Women with Disabilities have been formed to address specific community needs. The project also supports Women Associations and Cooperative Groups, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Community of Political Women Voters, and a Women in Maritime Business Group comprising 20 women-led cooperative groups. These partnerships and structures play a crucial role in driving the project’s impact, fostering grassroots support, and promoting women’s rights and leadership in Cross River State.