From Magnus Eze, Enugu
No fewer than 800,000 women in Enugu State have received training and empowerment on women’s political and leadership participation.
They were also equipped on how to combat gender-based violence and become more outspoken through peer education.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-N) project with support from ActionAid Nigeria (AAN).
The Country Director of ActionAid, Andrew Mamedu, speaking at the Closeout and Dissemination Ceremony of the WVL-N Project in Enugu, explained that the project aimed to give women a voice in various affairs, particularly governance.
Mr Mamedu, represented by Collins Chime, further disclosed that the project had reached 898,578 women and other individuals directly or indirectly.
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He noted that they supported women in Enugu State across all 17 Local Government Areas and 27 communities in different intervention areas.
He stated that the impact of their work was evident in transforming lives, adding that the project had recorded huge success. He lauded the dedication of their partners, stakeholders, and communities.
*Daily Sun* gathered that the WVL-N project works with state actors, schools, MDAs, communities, gender-based violence survivors, media, and religious leaders to ensure that issues concerning women and girls are addressed and appropriate laws and policies are put in place to curb the menace.
“For the past five years, the project has impacted the lives of women, girls, and their families and has given a voice to women and girls. The project, in five years, has invested 296,202,203.53 naira and has impacted over two million individuals in Enugu State. This achievement is a testament to the power of collective action and the unwavering dedication of all our partners, stakeholders, and community members.
“The project is building the capacities and supporting activities of local and national women’s rights organisations and movements that seek to empower women and girls, advance the protection of women’s and girls’ rights, and achieve gender equality in Nigeria.”
The Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI), Women Information Network (WINET), and Women Aid Collective (WACOL) were the three implementing organisations in Enugu State.