The first phase of Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-Nigeria) project, a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada through ActionAid Nigeria which tackled barriers to gender equality and supported the empowerment of women and girls in six implementing states and the FCT ended in September. Chizoba Ogbeche examines the success stories.
The Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-Nigeria) project, a five-years $9.7 million project was launched in 2019 and funded by Global Affairs Canada through ActionAid Nigeria (AAN).
The project tackled barriers to gender equality and supported the empowerment of women and girls by providing financial and technical resources to local women’s rights organisations (LWROs) in Nigeria.
The intervention addressed the challenges faced by these organisations in their efforts to eliminate discrimination and rights violations in policy and legislation, as well as harmful social beliefs and practices.
The project impacted six states: Kwara, Bauchi, Kebbi, Lagos, Cross River, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), driving change and empowerment across diverse regions.
Blueprint Weekend reports that 100 organisations, comprising of 10 women’s rights national networks; 18 state level women-led organisations; and 72 community-based organisations implemented diverse interventions targeted communities in the six project states and FCT.
Similarly, 82 women’s rights networks and movements also carried out interventions from the strategic opportunity, innovation and COVID-19 top up funds which contributed greatly to the success of the project.
Rewriting she stories
The WVL project report by AAN indicated that the flagship initiative inspired and significantly transformed the funding landscape for women empowerment and advancing gender equality in Nigeria. “Implemented from 2019 to 2024, the project empowered local women’s rights
organisations, networks, and movements with resources to carry out diverse, context-specific interventions that enhance the lives of women and girls.
“The various funding streams, including
multi-year grants, the Strategic Opportunity Fund, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and the COVID-19 Top-Up Fund, along with a flexible and participatory approach, enabled 182 organisations to directly impact the lives of 4,082,535 individuals and indirectly reach over 3,067,618 people.
“The WVL project marked a departure from traditional funding models, which are often prescriptive and rigid in focus and fund usage. By breaking down silos within the gender and women’s rights sector,
the project increased the capacity of women-led networks and movements to influence policies,” the report read in part.
Institutional strengthening
The report further stated that: “Additionally, it provided opportunities for these organisations to strengthen their internal systems, structures, programming capabilities, and outreach, ultimately bolstering their sustainability and
ability to drive long-term change.
“The project through its partners influenced 47 gender-related laws, policy strategies and frameworks at the national, state, institutional and community levels with Violences Against Persons
Prohibition (VAPP) Law passed in six states with contributions from the WVL project; domestication of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325; and development of Kwara State Action Plan; Gender Strategy developed for some political parties and five universities; GBV prevention and response strategy developed for schools; agricultural gender policy, 35 per cent affirmative action amongst others.
“In terms of addressing GBV, project partners in the project states of Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu, Lagos,
Kwara, Kebbi, and the FCT, over 4,781 people directly benefited from GBV/VAWG services, including legal, medical, psychosocial support, and empowerment activities for survivors.
“Indirectly, over 4 million individuals were reached through media campaigns, awareness sessions, and community dialogues. A total of 4,683 GBV cases were managed, GBV multi-stakeholders
committee was established and functional in Bauchi, FCT, and Kwara which contributed to increased response and justice for GBV survivors with 178 court judgements secured and 114 successful
judgments.
“Economic empowerment was provided to 335 survivors, and 5 GB shelters were
supported. School-related GBV sensitisation impacted 68,492 students, 2,715 teachers, and staff across 26 schools in Kebbi.
“State-level initiatives included the formation of a WVL-CBO Coalition Against GBV; 44 paralegal structures; and three youth advocate groups. Additionally, safe spaces, 37 GBV awareness clubs, 16 SRGBV school response committees, and 16 guidance and counseling
units were established.
“Sensitisation efforts reached 472 traditional and religious leaders and
306,230 women and girls, with 95 women joining peer education groups and 118 vulnerable women receiving economic support during the COVID-19 lockdown. “Capacity of Police Divisional Officers (DPOs) and Divisional Crime Officers (DCOs) were strengthened on case management in Kwara, Enugu, Bauchi and Cross River states.”
… More empowerment
The reported noted that: “In terms of economic empowerment, the project directly empowered 22,455 women and girls across project states were directly impacted by economic justice and empowerment initiatives, leading to 6,500 rural women establishing or owning businesses through interventions such as VSLA schemes and start-up grants or equipment.
“The total monies raised for VSLA The scheme was adopted and implemented by 39 partners in five states and the FCT, with 532 groups involving 13,911 women.
“The initiative has successfully reached a broad base of beneficiaries. A total of 233 communities across 69 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been covered, indicating widespread engagement and community-level influence.
“Financially, the women involved have collectively saved an
impressive ₦408.8 million, reflecting their commitment to financial security and growth. The cash share-out amounts to ₦417.5 million, indicating that the savings are not only substantial but also
being effectively distributed, likely enhancing the financial stability and economic empowerment of
the women involved.”
Political participation
Regarding women’s participation in leadership, the report added the project marked the first time in many of the communities in the projects states that women have been included in such influential roles.
“Additionally, 40 women, with verifiable support from the project, successfully vied for and won political elective positions at both state and national levels, demonstrating the project’s significant impact on women’s political participation.
“The project also played a crucial role in advancing gender equality in higher education by supporting the development of Gender Policies in five Nigerian universities.
“Furthermore, 67 young female students ascended to the presidency of their respective Student Union Governments across various tertiary institutions, including Enugu, Cross River, and Kebbi State College of Education, Technical, Peace Land College Enugu, and the University of Calabar.
“This achievement is directly attributed to the leadership mentorship programs spearheaded by WEPBI (Women Empowerment and Peace Building Initiative) and GADA-CETDA, Kungiyar Talafin Mata, and the Women in Politics Forum,
which provided critical guidance and support to these emerging leaders,” the reported added.
Inclusion of vulnerable groups
The project was reported to have deliberately applied an intersectional lens and inclusive approach in ensuring that special programmes were designed and directed to empower women with disability, women living with HIV and Aids, re-integration of ex-female inmates back into society and productive activities, empowerment of widows, and teenage mothers return to school.
“Overall, the project reached 7,150,153 persons of which majority constitute women and girls,” the report disclosed.
Project challenges
Despite these achievements, the reported noted that the project was not rid of challenges.
They ranged from, “…insecurity that led to change of some project locations to safer places; change of a few project partners; inflation of processes of goods and services which impacted project budgets, partners and beneficiaries; entrenched patriarchal norms and practices which can be attributed to negative cultural and religious
norms and practices,” it stated.
Lessons learnt
On the lessons learnt, the report noted that from the WVL-Nigeria project demonstrated that a flexible, inclusive, and non-prescriptive approach is key to advancing women’s rights effectively.
“By collaborating with diverse LWROs, tailoring interventions to specific needs, and fostering a participatory grant-making process, the project empowered LWROs
to take ownership of their initiatives.
“It showed that even small funds could significantly impact local communities, emphasize the importance of easing grant criteria, and promote innovative
approaches to tackle complex challenges. Integrating capacity development with financial sub-granting enhanced the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of these organisations, while
strategically managing fragmentation amplified the reach and influence of the women’s rights movement in Nigeria.
“The rooted community organisations supported and strengthened by the project, strong relationship and multi-stakeholders’ structures and the national state and community levels established,
strengthened by the project, strong relationship with government and LWROs and networks strengthen capacity for resource mobilization provide a pathway for the project’s sustainability.”
On lessons learnt, the reported concluded that, “the WVL project model has proven that increased resources in the hands of women-led organisations, networks and movements has proven to have a greatly contribute to increasing enjoyment of rights of women and girls as well as advancing gender equality in Nigeria.”
Unwavering commitment to women’s rights advancement
Celebrating achievements of the project, Country Director, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, said the successful implication of the WVL-Nigeria project reflected AAN unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls across Nigeria.
Presenting the end-of-project report for the initiative, Mamedu maintained: “At AAN, we stand resolute in our pursuit of gender equality and empowerment of women. We believe in the transformation power of collective action and the potential of individuals to drive lasting change.
“WVL-Nigeria project has been an extraordinary journey, characterized by challenges, triumphs, and countless moments and impacts that have touched the lives of many.
“…Throughout this journey, our focus has been on building the capacity of women-led organisations, networks, and movements to address gender equality, while also ensuring their growth and sustainability for continued impact.
“By leveraging our collective knowledge, expertise and resources, we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and society.”
The country director further stated: “…We believed that achieving gender equality and eradicating poverty is possible through strong collaborations and the dedication of both state and non-state actors across sectors.
“…Let these achievements remind us that despite the challenges we face positive change is within our grasp.
“As we conclude this project, our commitment to building a better world remains unwavering. The lessons we have learned, the impact we have created, and the relationships we have nurtured will continue to guide our future endeavours. Together, we will build on these accomplishments and forge a brighter future for all.”
Indispensable partners
For the Manager, Women’s Right Unit, AAN and WVL Project Manager, Niri Goyit, the implementation of the project and its accompanying achievements would not have been possible without the financial support of GAC.
Similarly, without the professional and passionate commitment of the 100 orgnisations, comprising of 10 women’s rights national networks; 18 state level women-led organisations; and 72 community-based organisations who implemented diverse and tailored interventions over the period of five years across targeted communities in the six project states and FCT, the outstanding benefits of the project outcomes being enjoyed by women and girls in these communities may not have been experienced.
She noted that 82 women’s rights networks and movements also carried out interventions from the strategic opportunity, innovation and COVID-19 Top Up Funds which contributed greatly to the success of the project.”
Speaking during the Closeout Learning and Dissemination Ceremony in Abuja, she further noted that: said
Open opportunities for partners
In the same vein, WVL-Nigeria Coordinator, North, Noro Bature, said the project has been instrumental in promoting women in political participation and leadership.
Bature, who spoke at the closeout and dissemination ceremony of the project, organised by eight partners in Abuja, said, “The issues related to women’s political participation around getting the 35 per cent Affirmative Action have been their struggle, and they are still working with the National Assembly to see how that will be achievable within this period.
“Even if the project is rounding up, they will still use other opportunities as an organisation to see how the data is sorted out.”
Minister backs project
On her part, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, expressed delight that the successful completion of the project that has brought about an acceleration or increase of women’s voice, their participation and visibility in leadership positions especially in the seven states that participated in the programme.
Speaking at the Closeout ceremony, she said: “It is also my pleasure to appreciate ActionAid Nigeria for their continued funding support in the implementation of various other programs geared towards the general wellbeing of Nigerian women.
“I must place on record here that over the years, ActionAid Nigeria have been supportive to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs through several programmes geared towards the achievement of the mandate of the ministry.
“They have been particularly supportive in areas of Violence Against Women and Girls, Women’s Political Participation and Governance, Women‘s Economic Empowerment, Women, Peace and Security, Women’s Unpaid Care Work, Commemoration of various Women’s International Programmes, Mobilising and supportive in the passage of various gender bills currently at the National Assembly, Advocacy and supportive in insuring Nigeria’s participation at various national and international fora, active member of our development partners gender group (DPGG) amongst several other supportive initiatives with key milestones achieved.
“It is equally pertinent to note that, in line with the report reaching us, the WVL-Nigeria project has increased women’s participation in leadership and key decision making processes in the respective states driven by this project; as women have been able to utilize their inherent leadership and negotiation skills to address overwhelming issues of governance in their communities, states and the country in general which earlier defied previous efforts,” she said.
The minister urged AAN and their implementing team to further support the ministry in fast tracking the achievement of her mandate of ensuring the entrenchment of gender equality, women empowerment and social inclusion in the country.
“I call on AAN and her team that participated in the implementation of the Women Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project, to consciously ensure the sustainability of the achievements and lessons learnt from the project with a view to expanding same to the remaining states of the country.
“Our doors are always open for further collaboration and partnership in other future programmes,” the minister said.
Partners experience
Speaking on the challenges faced by the partners, the National President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim, cited inadequate funding, while advocating for increased funding for the association.
She said, “The problem associated with such programmes is funding. For organisations that are doing well, the partners should consider increasing the funding for this project because of the immense developments achieved so far.”
She urged women to participate in politics actively, saying, “I think we do not need to reiterate the need for women to participate in politics because politics is now. Policies and democracy have come to stay in Nigeria, and for women to get their rightful place, they must participate actively in the political processes in Nigeria.”
NAWOJ was one of the beneficiaries in the FCT and shared its remarkable achievements.
“Despite joining the project 15 months before its conclusion, NAWOJ has experienced significant growth and has demonstrated its immense potential.
“Some key milestones for NAWOJ include: establishing a fully furnished national secretariat for the first time in 33 years, developing guiding policies and a strategic work plan, and organising impactful training sessions and rallies as well as Town Hall meetings in Edo and Ondo states in preparation for the forthcoming governorship elections in the states,” she stated.
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