Ekiti State inaugurates a World Bank-backed initiative to empower women through skill development and financial support, promoting economic independence.
The Ekiti State government launched a multisectoral initiative known as the “Nigeria For Women Programme Scale-Up” (NFWP-SU) in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday.
Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, representing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, characterized NFWP-SU as a World Bank-supported initiative designed to establish women affinity groups and other platforms aimed at enhancing women’s economic empowerment and opportunities.
She noted that this program, which has already commenced in six states, seeks to empower women through a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and the World Bank, ultimately striving for gender equality.
Afuye explained that the foundational project tested the Women Affinity Group (WAG) model to tackle significant barriers to women’s social and economic empowerment at both household and community levels, thereby fostering women’s prosperity and building social assets.
She emphasized that increasing women’s financial inclusion could yield substantial economic and societal advantages, as women with access to financial resources can better meet their families’ needs and contribute to their overall well-being.
Mrs. Toyin Familoni, the NFWP-SU Coordinator in Ekiti State, further highlighted the state’s commitment to gender balance through the enactment of laws promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women.
To ensure the program’s effectiveness, Familoni disclosed that Governor Oyebanji has allocated funding and provided facilities for its implementation, with three local governments designated as pilot areas to initiate the project.
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