Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
The Fahimta Women and Youth Development initiative (FAWOIDI), has intensified efforts to advance women’s empowerment in Bauchi State through community sensitisation activities under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project.
The project, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by ActionAid Nigeria through FAWOIDI, is focused on strengthening women’s economic empowerment, leadership participation and social inclusion across selected communities in the state.
Speaking during the sensitisation exercise, RWVL Project Officer, Mother Yanga, described inclusivity as one of the project’s defining principles, stressing that the intervention is designed to reach women and girls who are often excluded from development opportunities.
She explained that the project deliberately targets vulnerable and structurally excluded groups, including women living with disabilities, elderly women, widows, divorced women, young women and girls, as well as commercial sex workers.
“The Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project is about ensuring that every woman has a voice and an opportunity to participate.
Our focus is not only on women but also on girls because they represent the future. Sustainable development can only be achieved when we invest in both present and future generations,” she said.
Following an inception meeting held earlier this year, FAWOIDI embarked on a sensitisation and mobilisation campaign across eight communities in Alkaleri, Ganjuwa and Bauchi Local Government Areas.
The exercise was aimed at introducing the project, raising awareness about its objectives and encouraging community ownership.
The meetings attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, women leaders, youth representatives and male champions, all of whom pledged support for the initiative.
Women accounted for the majority of participants, reflecting growing interest in programmes that promote economic independence and leadership opportunities.
She said engaging men remains a critical component of the project, as many of the barriers affecting women are linked to social and cultural norms that require collective action to address.
The RWVL Project seeks to enhance women’s economic resilience through financial literacy training, entrepreneurship development and the promotion of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
These initiatives are expected to improve women’s access to resources and strengthen their capacity to sustain businesses and livelihoods.
Beyond economic empowerment, the project aims to build the leadership capacity of women and girls by encouraging active participation in decision-making processes at household, community and public levels.
Mother Yanga emphasised that leadership should not be viewed solely in terms of political office but also as the ability to influence positive change within families, communities and institutions.
She added that the project adopts a participatory approach that allows community members to identify their priorities and contribute to designing solutions, thereby promoting ownership and sustainability.
Religious leaders, including imams and pastors, commended the initiative and pledged to support efforts aimed at improving the wellbeing of women and girls in their communities. Traditional rulers also encouraged residents to embrace the opportunities presented by the project.
She expressed confidence that the intervention will contribute significantly to advancing gender equality, strengthening women’s voices in governance and decision-making, and improving socio-economic outcomes for women and girls across Bauchi State.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to working with communities and stakeholders to ensure that no woman is left behind, particularly those who have historically been excluded from development programmes and leadership opportunities.
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