NWTF trains 100 young women on leadership

The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) has groomed 100 young women from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its National Institute Leadership and Ending Violence against Women and Girls (NILEVAWG) mentorship programme.

“A lot still needs to be done; and these issues needs to be on the front burner with a lasting solution proffered. We must be resolved more than before to put smiles on our girl child, sisters, mothers and friends faces, as we become the succour that they need,” the statement stressed…

In a statement made available in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NWTF, Mufuliat Fijabi, during the close-out meeting of the first NILEVAWG, said the programme which was support by the Ford Foundation was convened on the 4th – 6th April, 2022 (Batch A) and 7th – 9th April 2022 in Abuja.

According to the statement, the initiative was sequel to the successful completion of similar but distinct project under the Ford Foundation called Ending Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Phase I and II in eight states – Adamawa, Cross River, FCT, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Kebbi and Ekiti.

The statement noted that Women’s voices and leadership over the years have been limited due to multiple barriers which include violence against women, sexual violence, lack of opportunities in decision making, unequal gender relations amongst others.

The statement also expressed that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights’ violations, adding that NILEVAWG has impacted positively on the overall growth and abilities of the women and girls who went through the training.

“I must say that, this six-month mentorship, trainings and experience sharing is not the end of your inputs to correcting the anomaly in our society, it is only a beginning of the resilience and doggedness to push for a total eradication of trampling on women’s rights, violence against women and girls, inequality and stereotypes against the women in Nigeria and across the globe.

“A lot still needs to be done; and these issues needs to be on the front burner with a lasting solution proffered. We must be resolved more than before to put smiles on our girl child, sisters, mothers and friends faces, as we become the succor that they need,” the statement stressed.

“Our mentors, through this initiative have encouraged and supported survivors of abuse, broken the cultural barriers to their leadership roles and confidently engaged with stakeholders on GBV; transformed their ways of thinking, approach to life and impacted in their various communities.

“They have realized how our cultural backgrounds could be different and how experiences in life can be similar. They have been inspired to be team builder as we all anticipate a community free from all forms of violence,” it added.

Chair of the Advisory Board Amina Salihu, noted that mentoring of this nature is always trans generational as learning are cross fertilized between the mentees and mentors, adding that “what leadership means is to be giving and sharing the knowledge that you have.

“We are trade marking this for more people to expand the pool of women and girls to step in and find a way as leaders in this field. Do not spread the language of patriarchy, do not limit yourself, as leaders, you must always share your abilities with others,” she urged

One of the mentees in Abuja Tukura Caroline said, the training has helped her in impacting her community by mobilizing against human trafficking and mutual partners violence against women.”

Another mentee Joy Haa said, the mentorship program helped “built the team spirit in me and also helps in collaborating with other mentees to carry out these activities around VAWG.

Another mentee Temitope Olaniyi said, “I have developed more passion against harmful traditional practices, I can boldly engage with the stakeholders now and I have been able to network with more people to achieve the goal,” she said.