By Ehis Agbon, Kajuru, Kaduna State.
Economic violence against women and girls has been identified as a critical barrier to their empowerment in Kajuru and Kasuwan Magani. In response, the Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls, recently organized a seminar under the “Together We Can” project. The session aimed to help women develop a strategic agenda on business conceptualization and management, thereby boosting their financial independence.
Seminar Highlights
Delivering her address, Juliana Joseph, Project Manager of Together We Can, defined economic violence as actions that erode women’s financial independence and hinder their ability to earn a stable livelihood. “Economic violence against women and girls involves actions that undermine their financial independence and opportunities for a stable livelihood. This can include controlling access to money, limiting education or employment opportunities, denying property rights, isolating them from economic support networks, and deliberately preventing them from achieving economic self-sufficiency. Such practices force women into financial dependence, perpetuating inequality and making it harder for them to escape cycles of poverty and abuse.”
She told ProcyonNews that
Government’s Commitment
In a keynote address, Mrs. Lami Usman, Deputy Director of Gender Affairs at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, emphasized Kaduna State’s dedication to women’s empowerment. “We want the women and girls to imbibe the teachings of these organizations as it will enlighten them and help them live better lives, especially those who have encountered one form of violence or another,” she noted.
Mrs. Usman further stated that the expected outcomes include greater self-reliance and economic independence for participants. She added >>>
Cooperative Societies and Financial Management
Mendie Jeremiah, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Lead for the Together We Can project, underscored the practical steps women are taking to form cooperative societies, “So far, the women have created four cooperative societies in these communities after the training we gave them on Business Conceptualization and Management. Microfinance Bank officials were also here to guide them on financial management.”
Mendie , highlighting that cooperative structures can help women pool resources and gain better access to credit.
Voices from the Community
A participant, Martha Amos, affirmed the importance of economic empowerment in mitigating gender-based violence. “The lack of economic empowerment is the main reason why many women in my community endure violence. This training has given us a new lease on life,” she said.
Amos thanked EWEI and the UN Trust Fund for the initiative and added
Relevant Data
- According to a 2021 survey by UN Women, up to 30% of Nigerian women experience some form of economic violence, including restricted access to financial resources and property.
- The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimates that women make up 48% of Nigeria’s labor force, yet they are significantly underrepresented in formal employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- A recent report by USAID indicates that economic empowerment programs can reduce intimate partner violence by up to 20%, underscoring the impact of financial independence on women’s overall safety and well-being.
By focusing on skill development, cooperative societies, and direct engagement with government agencies, the seminar organizers and participants hope to break the cycle of economic violence and set a precedent for women’s financial autonomy in Kaduna State.
