Five-year initiative to empower Nigerian women and girls, strengthen leadership, and promote equitable development
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), launched the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project in Abuja, committing $15 million Canadian dollars to strengthen women’s rights, leadership, and safety across Nigeria.
The initiative, themed “Consolidating Gains and Strategic Partnerships for Sustained Impact,” will run over five years and focus on capacity building, funding, and strategic support for women-led organizations. Special attention will be given to marginalized groups, including women with disabilities, sex workers, and children.
Speaking at the launch, Niri Goyit, Project Manager of Women’s Voice and Leadership, stressed the importance of grassroots involvement: “The journey to gender equality begins in our local communities. This project is about equipping women with the tools to lead effectively at every level of society.”
Hajiya Suwaiba Dankabo, Deputy Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, emphasized that equitable distribution of resources and strategic interventions would ensure sustainable impact. She noted that the newly inaugurated Agile Project Team will oversee the project’s effective implementation over the five-year period.
Representing the Canadian High Commissioner, a delegate reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and promoting accountability, declaring: “When women lead, Nigeria thrives. When Nigeria thrives, we all rise.”
The launch was attended by key stakeholders including FCT NAWOJ Chairperson Bassey Ita Ikpang, representatives from ECOWAS, the Federal Ministries of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, UN Women Nigeria, and traditional institutions — underscoring multi-level collaboration for gender equality. The RWVL Project aims to enhance women’s participation in leadership, safeguard their rights, and create measurable, lasting impact across Nigerian communities.
