A Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs) have provided financial empowerment and support to women in the Soremekun Community, located in the Alabata area, Odeda local government of Ogun State.
Penpushing reports that the organisations include Rural Women Studies Association (RWSA), Gender Development Initiative (GenDi) and the Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Education Gender Youth and Family.
The others are Initiative for Peace and Comfort, Budding Leaders Empowerment Initiative, Hope for New Life Organization, Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI), while the project was said to be a significant drive to empower women and alleviate poverty.
Penpushing further reports that a key partner in the initiative and leader of Education Gender Youth and Family, Prof Helen Bodunde in her welcome speech highlighted the collective goal of the program which was aimed at empowering women, alleviate poverty, and support the education of young girls.
The key partner at the well-attended ceremony urged the women to be active participants in household decision-making and work as partners with their spouses, emphasizing the importance of family and societal support.
Penpushing also reports that reflecting on her experience with students, she explained that her passion to support women’s development led her to join forces with other organizations to address the unique needs of women in underserved areas.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Gender Development Initiative (GenDi) and Chair of the Rural Women Studies Association, (RWSA), Africa Chapter, Prof Olubunmi Ashimolowo in her keynote speech recounted the decade-long journey of the empowerment program.
The Gender Initiative boss noted that through the establishment of a cooperative group, women in the community were encouraged to save portions of their earnings, fostering a culture of financial independence and mutual growth.
‘This cooperative model has enabled many women to grow their small businesses and expand their farming operations over the years. A cooperative society was initiated alongside other capacity-building programs, such as soap-making, teaching children how to make reusable sanitary towels, providing farming funds, and boreholes for neighboring communities’, Ashimolowo said.
Penpushing reports that Ashimolowo, however, praised the women’s progress and highlighted the cassava waste-to-wealth project, which has become a profitable venture for many of the participants.
The Initiative for Peace and Comfort, representative Prof. Comfort Onifade in her goodwill message emphasized the organization’s mission to foster peaceful homes and a prosperous nation, pointing out that educating children, especially girls, was crucial for sustainable development and long-term national growth.
Penpushing further reports that the co-chair of the Rural Women Studies Association Africa Chapter and Ogun State Nigeria Institute of Public Relations Officer (NIPR) Chairperson, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye stressed the role of women as critical drivers of the economy.
The female journalist citing the increasing number of women in leadership positions worldwide, encouraged the men present to support their spouses and provide equal opportunities to the girl child, underlining that women’s voices and contributions are essential for a thriving economy.
Penpushing also reports a beneficiary of the initiative, Odunayo Somefun, expressed gratitude for the support that has helped them become financially independent, and another participant, Noimot Kolade, a farmer, noted that the program’s financial literacy training has transformed life in Soremekun.
The participant explained that the programme taught women to save and reinvest rather than waste resources, and applauded the cassava waste-to-wealth initiative as a valuable addition to the community’s resources.
Penpushing reports that the community head, Chief Isola Egbetokun in response commended the initiative of the group noting that the empowerment of the women at a critical time marked a positive step towards economic empowerment, skill development, and sustainable growth for the women of Soremekun community.
Meanwhile, at the end of the collaborative effort of the Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs) 16 women were empowered, representing 25 percent of women population in Soremekun Community, where it was also announced that in order to reach out to sizeable number of these women, another round of the empowerment program would be organized.
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