By Ehis Agbon, Kaduna
As part of activities to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD) and in a significant stride toward reducing gender-based violence and boosting women’s economic empowerment, the Together We Can Project by Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls, on 11 March 2025, inaugurated four multipurpose cooperative groups in Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas.
A total of ₦10.3 million was presented to the four multipurpose cooperatives, with each cooperative receiving approximately ₦2.5 million. This seed grant is provided at zero interest, functioning as a small bank to ensure necessary returns are made back into their cooperative accounts, allowing for growth beyond the initial grant.
Months of Capacity Building
The inauguration, which coincides with the International Women’s Day, is the culmination of months of training under the “Together We Can” project, targeting women and girls in Kujama and Kasuwan Magani communities who have suffered various forms of gender-based violence—ranging from domestic abuse to financial and traditional discrimination. The training modules focused on:
- Economic Empowerment
- Financial Management
- Business Management
“We have worked tirelessly to equip these women and girls with the knowledge and skills needed to break the cycle of abuse and dependency,” said Juliana Joseph, Project Manager of the “Together We Can” project. “Financial independence significantly reduces domestic violence, as it relieves some of the financial pressure within households. We are grateful to Al’Hikma Microfinance Bank for their support in training these women on financial literacy and developing business proposals among others.”
Project Manager explained that “The multipurpose cooperatives were established to support the economic components of EWEI’s projects and to build the livelihoods of women who have undergone psychosocial support and mental health therapy. The transition to livelihood support is designed to sustain their recovery and enable them to support their families.”
Presentation of ₦10 Million
Representatives of Al’Hikma Microfinance Bank, led by Managing Director Aminu Yakubu, presented a cheque of Ten million, three hundred and sixty two thousand, one hundred and eighty eight naira eighteen kobo (₦10,362,188.18) to each of the four cooperatives. The bank also provided additional training on Business and Financial Management, ensuring that recipients can manage the funds effectively.
“Our goal is not just to give out loans but to guide beneficiaries in managing their resources responsibly,” said Yakubu. “By doing so, we hope to see thriving small enterprises that uplift entire families and communities.”
Government and Stakeholder Endorsement
Several government officials attended the event, including Danali A. Sambo from the Ministry of Agriculture, Lami Usman from the Ministry of Humanitarian Services and Social Development, and Ayiku Ishaku Thomas, Director of Gender at the Ministry of Justice. They each praised the initiative’s holistic approach to tackling gender-based violence through economic empowerment.
“We applaud EWEI and the UN Trust Fund for prioritizing the economic wellbeing of women,” said Usman. “Financial stability is a key factor in reducing vulnerabilities that lead to gender-based violence. We, as a government, are committed to supporting these efforts in any way we can.”
Traditional Leaders’ Support
Traditional rulers and community leaders—among them Amos Yakubu (Sarkin T/Wada Kujama), Danjuma Auta (Sarkin Fada Kujama), Samaila Sallatu (Village Head representing Sarkin Makurdi), and Nasiru Abdullahi (Village Head representing Sarkin Kasuwa Magani)—were also in attendance. They offered assurances of community backing for the cooperatives.
“We encourage men to stand behind their wives, sisters, and daughters in these new ventures,” said Amos Yakubu. “By supporting women’s businesses, we strengthen families and the community at large. We pledge our full cooperation to ensure the cooperatives succeed.”
Community Impact and Future Outlook
Uche Brown, Primary Focal Person for the “Together We Can” project, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative:
“Our capacity-building programs address gender-based violence not just by offering moral support, but by providing tangible resources and business acumen. This holistic approach can help families become more harmonious and resilient.”
Similarly, Mendie Jeremiah, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Lead for the project, emphasized the ongoing role of Al’Hikma Microfinance Bank and EWEI in monitoring the cooperatives’ progress:
“We will continue to mentor these groups, ensuring the funds are used effectively and that any challenges are swiftly addressed. The success of this project relies on sustained community cooperation—from men, women, traditional institutions, and the government.”
Jeremiah further explained that the cooperatives are registered as multipurpose societies, granting women the capacity to network with various interventions within the state. This structure allows members to engage in diverse ventures, such as fashion design, enabling them to source funds for others in their community.
Background: EWEI and the UN Trust Fund
- Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI): Founded in 2008, EWEI works to empower girls and women through training, advocacy, and community-based interventions.
- UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls: A leading global grant-making mechanism dedicated to ending violence against women, funding initiatives that focus on prevention, survivor support, and the promotion of gender equality.
Conclusion
The inauguration of these four multipurpose cooperatives societies—and the accompanying ₦10 million disbursement—represents a critical milestone in the “Together We Can” project’s mission to tackle gender-based violence through economic empowerment. With strong backing from local government, traditional leaders, and financial institutions, EWEI hopes these newly formed cooperatives will pave the way for greater social and economic stability in Kaduna State, serving as a model for similar efforts nationwide.
The event was an opportunity for the organizers to have a pep talk with female students from Government Secondary School, Kasuwan Magani, emphasizing the importance of awareness about violence against women and girls and the need to build the capacity of women and girls to speak out against gender based violence.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action,” emphasizing the need for swift and decisive steps toward achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide.
