against women and girls using participatory and community-based approaches.
“Through Our Safe Spaces Project, displaced women and girls, indigenous women, and survivors of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation are now better protected from violence and exploitation.
“They are also supported to gain access to psychosocial support systems, develop reduced vulnerability and benefit from economic empowerment opportunities through establishment of cooperative societies.”
The gender programme officer also provided a progress report to the commissioner on the ongoing “We for Them” project, being implemented with support from the African Women’s Development Fund.
Jerimiah explained that the project was designed to mobilise 4,500 critical stakeholders to curb sexual and gender-based violence in public places in Kaduna state.
He said that EWEI was working with the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter in implementing the two-year project, 2022 to 2024.
Responding, the commissioner commended the NGO for the laudable efforts and reiterated the government commitment to work with women groups rather than the individuals.
Baba said that working in cooperatives groups would enable the women to access government support and other financial services that would not only empower the women but strengthen financial inclusion in the state.
She assured the cooperatives of the ministry’s support and urged the leadership to increase their seed capital, train, accommodate and support other women to equally work in groups to access government support.
NAN
