The Samuel Ioron Foundation (SIF) has empowered 300 women and girls living in Benue State Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps. According to a recent statement by SIF’s Executive Director, Ngunan Ioron, the empowerment is part of its Equal Access Database (EADB) project.
“The project, launched on May 2, 2023, demonstrates our commitment to helping marginalized women and girls by teaching them economic skills to improve their current businesses or start new ones,” she said.
Ngunan noted that the three-month training project, currently in its first phase, has addressed issues faced by women in the camps.
“The EADB project builds on the Rural Urban Rightful (RUR) Project, concluded in 2020, which investigated sexual exploitation and trafficking among IDPs aged 11-18. We found that many women and girls in IDP camps are vulnerable to exploitation and violence due to lack of essential needs.
“We have found that skilled women and girls with access to business opportunities can better protect themselves against these vulnerabilities,” she explained.
Ngunan observed that the project’s success was largely due to its design, which took into account limited available resources. She explained:
“We adopted cluster entrepreneurship training, where each cluster consists of 30 females aged 15-30 years, assigned to 10 vendors. This approach allowed us to effectively train 300 women.
“We also utilized art exhibitions, workshops, donations, and advocacy outreaches to address the problems and ensure that women are aware of and uphold their rights.”
The EADB project began on May 6 and will conclude on July 31. Ngunan expressed confidence in its lasting impact.
“During the stakeholders’ workshop at the project’s inception, beneficiaries selected skills such as tailoring, baking, and hairdressing, among others, that they were interested in acquiring. This approach ensures that the community is actively involved and takes ownership of the project.
“It’s heartening to see the positive impact on the beneficiaries. Many feel they have a new lease on life, with growing confidence and success stories emerging.
“During our visits, we discovered that two stakeholders started a buns business after just four weeks of training. Luper Faith, a team leader, began with 1.5 kg of flour and sold all her products. Impressed, her husband funded her business expansion.
“In hairdressing, some women have started taking customers. One partner trusts our trainees to manage her salon, enabling her to open a nearby food vending spot.
“In tailoring, women who had never sewn before can now use sewing machines, cut and sew simple gowns, and confidently draw patterns,” she highlighted.
Additionally, Ngunan expressed optimism about the project’s ability to address challenges faced by displaced communities due to herder-farmer conflicts in the state.
“We will establish a proper database and management system to monitor and assess IDPs and implement a whistleblower program,” she added.
The EADB project is carried out with the support of Misereor, a German nonprofit organisation.
Samuel Ioron Foundation-SIF, based in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, was founded in 2012 as the Women of Change Initiative (WOCIP). It was renamed in 2017 to honor Samuel Ioron, aiming to enhance girls’ education in disadvantaged communities and promote equal opportunities for women and girls locally and globally.