Before the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, women and girls faced significant challenges. Gender inequality was pervasive, with limited economic opportunities for women, inadequate political representation, and widespread gender-based violence. Community-based organizations struggled with insufficient resources and support to address these issues effectively.
The Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, ran from 2019 to 2024. The project aimed to empower women and enhance gender equality across multiple thematic areas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including economic empowerment, political participation, and the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV). Eight women-led networks partnered to execute various initiatives, receiving multi-year grants, Strategic Opportunity Funds, COVID-19 top-up funds, and Strategic Innovation Funds to address emerging needs and support gender-focused policy advocacy. The project reached a total of 1,066,008 individuals through various activities, media, and collaborations with multiple government agencies and local organizations.
