Khadijah Aliyu
Entrepreneurship has been described as a major catalyst for eradicating gender-based violence, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and empowering women economically.
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After intensive sessions on business and financial literacy, participants of the two-day training for fifty women entrepreneurs in Kano State described the initiative as transformational.
A tailor from Rimin Gado LGA, Khadijah Albashi said the training served as an eye-opener.
“I have learnt how to save, and use modern techniques to improve my brand and prepare for the future,”
She added that facilitators also guided them on how to combat gender-based violence by embracing climate-smart agriculture that enhances self-reliance.
For Rabi Ibrahim Tofa, a divorcee who sustains her family by selling gurasa (local bread), the training was life-changing.
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“People often victimize me because of my status. But with the knowledge I gained here, I will expand my business to meet global standards,” she explained.
According to Nathan Bako, Programs Manager of the Women Against Violence Empowered through Sustainability (WAVES) Project Phase II, the training was supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria through the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC).
He stressed that the two-day business and financial literacy training was the third core component of the WAVES project, building on earlier sessions on gender-based violence prevention and climate-smart agriculture.
“The initiative demonstrates how holistic empowerment covering social, agricultural, and economic pillars can transform the lives of women and their communities,”
He noted that the project targets women across eight local government areas of Kano.
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He pointed out that, the WAVES project, implemented by Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), is equipping women with entrepreneurship skills while also strengthening their role in food security and advocacy against gender-based violence.
“By combining GBV prevention, climate-smart agriculture, and business development training, WAVES is creating a generation of women leaders who are socially conscious and economically empowered,” Andrew added.