By Ehis Agbon, 25 March 2025.
Kujama, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State – The Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls, has officially opened a new office for two of the four women’s multipurpose cooperative societies in Kujama. The move follows months of training and capacity-building aimed at helping women in Chikun and Kajuru LGA establish and sustain businesses, ultimately reducing the impact of gender-based violence.
The newly opened office, which will house the operations of Kujama Togetherness Multipurpose Society and Kujama Aminci Multipurpose Society, is furnished with the essentials needed for meetings and other business activities.
A Step Toward Economic Independence
Juliana Joseph, Program Manager for the “Together We Can” project, described the opening of the office as a major milestone:
“Today we have opened the office for the women so they can start holding their meetings and running their businesses. We believe that if they work diligently, this could be the beginning of many great things to come. Every success story often starts small, and we’ll continue guiding them so their businesses can grow and help other women who weren’t part of these cooperatives initially.”
Aminchi and Togetherness are among the four cooperative groups that recently received a combined total of ₦10.3 million in seed funding, designed to be managed at zero interest. EWEI hopes that a collective savings-and-loan model will strengthen the cooperatives and allow them to expand their membership over time.
Community Leaders Voice Support
Local leaders from Kujama and nearby communities praised the initiative for its potential to boost economic stability and social harmony.
Amos Yakubu, Village Head of Tudunwada Kujama, said:
“We are already seeing positive changes in our homes and community thanks to these programs. Women can now empower themselves, and the entire community will benefit from that. We appreciate the new office and pledge to support this project so it can grow even bigger.”
Denjuma Auta, Riko Sarkin Kujama, echoed similar sentiments:
“We are grateful for the cooperative and the progress we see. Our hope is that more women can benefit, and we appreciate the efforts of everyone who has contributed to making this office a reality.”
Legal Advocates Show Solidarity
Representatives from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) attended the ceremony, underscoring the importance of protecting women’s rights through economic empowerment.
Olufunke Bamikole, Chairperson of FIDA Kaduna, noted:
“When you empower a woman, you empower a nation. We can already see the positive impact, and we encourage these beneficiaries to spread the gains to others. This initiative aligns with FIDA’s goal of improving the lives of women and children, who are often the most vulnerable in society.”
A Multi-Purpose Approach
EWEI’s facilitated cooperatives are registered as multipurpose societies, allowing participants to engage in diverse ventures, from farming to fashion design. This flexibility aims to foster resilience and adaptability in an evolving market.
“This initiative is not limiting the women to one sector,” explained Joseph. “They can tap into various forms of intervention in the state, which strengthens their capacity to innovate and grow.”
Looking Ahead
With the office now operational, EWEI plans to monitor and mentor cooperative members, ensuring transparent fund management and offering guidance on business expansion. The hope is that as these ventures flourish, the incidence of gender-based violence will decline, thanks to increased financial independence for women.
“This is just the beginning,” Joseph added. “We want these cooperatives to become models for others, demonstrating how economic empowerment can lead to safer, more equitable communities.”
In the coming weeks, The Office space will also serve as a safe space for women, as EWEI and the Ministry of Humanitarian Services and Social Development plan to assign a counselor to address the community’s counseling needs.
