News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Center for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE Center), in collaboration with the Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), and supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, have equiped 50 women from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and host communities in Benue State with skills training to empower them economically an build their resilience.
The essence of the scheme which is implemented under the “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment/Resilient Project (POWER), meaning “Tahav” in Tiv language, is to build economic resilience of Gender Based Violence (GBV) survivors and other vulnerable women in IDP camps and host communities in the state.
Speaking during a Women Empowerment Dialogue meeting for Conflict-Affected Communities in Makurdi, organized by RACE Center and GERI, the Executive Director RACE Center, Evelyn Ugbe said 50 women have already undergone various skills training including tailoring, hair dressing, bag and soap making, baking among others and have also started producing items.
She said the theme of the event “Building Resilience & Advancing Economic Opportunities for Women in Conflict-Affected Communities,” reinforces commitment to sustainable empowerment and resilience among women who have been disproportionately impacted by conflict and displacement.
Ugbe notes “The Women Empowerment Dialogue, held under the POWER project meaning TAHAV in TIV language, is purposefully designed to address the unique challenges around sustainable livelihood, economic empowerment of women IDPs and to also explore the incredible opportunities for strengthening their resilience.”
She expressed gratitude to their collaborators, the Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative as well as Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, (BICD) and appreciated the generous technical and financial support of Embassy of France in Nigeria which has enabled the POWER project is made possible saying their partnership is not only providing grant to support their work but also strengthening their systems.
She also acknowledged some of the guests who have joined the meeting virtually including Pierre Bonnel, Program Officer at the Embassy of France in Nigeria, and Christy Asala, and Andrew Ochu-Baiye of the Cognito Project while other dignitories, Hon. Terwase Peter Uche, House Member representing Guma LG Constituency. Hon. Scholastica Terngu Ben-sor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs. BENSEMA, Humanitarina Ministry, Mediatrice Barengayabo, Head of Sub-Office, IOM. Patricia Goja, Managing Director, Novus Micro Finance Bank. Hon. Kennedy Angbo, House Member Representing Otukpo Local Government Constituency, Benue State House Assembly. The Chairs of BENGONET and Benue CSOs. Mr. John Adah, State Manager, SMEDAN. Mr. Kumafan Dzaan, Statistician General, State Bureau of Statistics were on ground with good will messages.
She said “Our mission today is simple, to explore innovative, sustainable strategies and best practices that can empower women economically, contribute to implementing the State IDP policy and State durable solutions action plan. Furthermore, create a platform for networking among stakeholders.
“We strongly will believe this event will not be another talkshop but will lead to Actionable Recommendations for sustainable comprehensive livelihood support system for women in IDP communities.
Ugbe who described the women as “their Sheros” tasked stakeholders to ensure sustained financial assistance for women in IDP camps saying the funds are vital to enhance their economic resilience and facilitate their journey towards self sufficiency and self dignity.
Speaking the Executive Secretary GERI, Mrs Elizabeth Jeiyol, applauded the Sheros for showing commitment to their training and the French Embassy for facilitating them to undertake the project of empowering women in conflict affected Benue communities.
The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Women Affairs and Benue State Coordinator Renewed Hope Initiative/RHI, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, who noted that an empowered woman is a an empowered society girdled with stability and development.
According to hear, the society benefits heavily from women empowerment especially in peace building, fostering social cohesion, community resilience and wellbeing among others.
Mrs Ben-Sor said achieving women’s economic empowerment requires political will and collaborative efforts from governments, civil society, NGOs, and the private sector to create transformative solutions that empower women and girls, leaving no one behind.
She urged all hands on deck to not only build women but give them economic power in every sense which is the pathway to the safety and development of the children, especially the girl child.
The Director General, Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Dr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, who was represented by the Acting Director/Head, Human Resources and Administration, Beauty Adaaku, said as the coordinating body for humanitarian partners and development agencies in he state, BICD recognizes that sustainable recovery and lasting peace cannot be achieved without the full and equal participation of women.
Viashima said “Their leadership, economic inclusion, and social empowerment are not only essential for rebuilding communities but are also fundamental to achieving long-term development goals.”
He assured that the state government working with partners, would strengthen resilience by expanding economic opportunities, fostering access to resources, and creating safe, inclusive spaces where women to thrive as entrepreneurs, workers, leaders, and change-makers.
Some of the women, Martina Atom, Terwase Prescious and Grace Ogbe said their life has turned a new leaf since they met with RACE Center and GERI and started the training. They appreciated the organizations and the French embassy for their intervention expressing hope that the state government would own the program and sustain it until they can find their feet.
Our correspondent reports that the TAHAV women entrepreneurs also exhibited the products from their work including bags, liquid and solid soap, among others and participants took turns to inspect the item and also patronized them.
