ActionAid Nigeria’s WVL-N Project Impacts Over 3.5 Million in Lagos State

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) celebrated the successful conclusion of its Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-N) project in Lagos State. The five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), has directly impacted 698,508 women and girls, with an indirect reach extending to over 3.5 million individuals across the state.

Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, represented by Olufunmilola Olukeye, Director of Human Resource and Organisational Effectiveness, highlighted the project’s achievements. “With an investment of 327,045,088.66 Naira, we have made substantial strides in women’s economic empowerment, combating sexual and gender-based violence, promoting social and economic inclusion of elderly women, and enhancing women’s political participation.”

Jade de Lima-Roussel, a representative of Global Affairs Canada, Ottawa expressed her admiration for the project’s outcomes. “This project is an important initiative of our feminist international assistance policy, your stories underscore that investing in women’s rights organizations can generate significant and far-reaching benefits for gender equality.”

Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO of Women Radio 91.7, represented by Esther Alaribe, Programmes Manager, emphasized the project’s impact. “We’ve witnessed barriers broken, narrative changed and voices amplified, the impact of this project will continue to resonate in the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities.”

Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, represented by Adamu Samaila, a Deputy Director at the ministry commended ActionAid Nigeria for its support to the ministry. She appreciated their contribution in areas such as violence against women and girls, women’s political participation, economic empowerment, and the passage of gender bills at the National Assembly.

Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, represented by Aishat Yakuba, Senior Special Assistant, Cabinet Affairs, noted that “The WVL-N project has amplified the voices of countless women and empowered them to take on leadership roles. The stories from the project are truly inspiring and commendable.”

The WVL-N project was implemented in collaboration with four Local Women’s Rights Organisations, Women’s Right and Health Project (WRAHP), Women Radio 91.7 FM, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) and the Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) and 11 Community-Based Organizations. The project has set the stage for further advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in Lagos State and across the other 6 states it was implemented Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu, Kebbi, Kwara and FCT

Esther Alaribe
news@wfm917.com
Women Radio 91.7