The Kwara State Government, in partnership with civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector, has inaugurated the State Project Steering Committee for the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Nigeria Project to drive women’s leadership, gender equality and economic empowerment across the state.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), Dr. Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, described the committee as a strategic platform that would strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and provide direction for the successful implementation of the project.
She said the initiative was designed to ensure that more women and girls in Kwara actively participate in leadership, decision-making and sustainable economic activities.
“Today’s inauguration is not merely the beginning of another committee; it is the beginning of a stronger movement for women’s leadership, rights, voice and economic empowerment in Kwara State,” she said.
According to her, the committee will establish governance and accountability structures, improve coordination among stakeholders and develop a sustainability roadmap that will enable the project to continue delivering impact beyond donor funding.
Abayomi-Oluwole explained that GLOHWOC was selected as the lead Women’s Rights Organisation for the RWVL Nigeria Project in Kwara based on its strong institutional capacity, grassroots reach and longstanding commitment to promoting women’s rights.
She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, accountability and ensuring that every woman benefits from the intervention.
The GLOHWOC boss identified shea butter processing, cassava processing, groundnut processing, Adire and Aso-Oke production, as well as other agro-processing value chains, as critical sectors capable of expanding women’s income through value addition, improved branding, wider market access and digital commerce.
“We need to build systems that continue to create impact long after project funding has ended. Strong organisations will continue serving women long after the project,” she stated.
She also urged stronger collaboration among state ministries, local government councils, financial institutions, development agencies, research organisations, cooperatives and private sector players to unlock more opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Kwara.
The committee is expected to strengthen women’s cooperatives, improve access to finance and markets, identify priority advocacy issues and encourage greater community ownership of the project.
At the end of the meeting, members resolved to establish communication platforms, develop an annual work plan, identify key advocacy priorities and convene the committee’s first quarterly review meeting.
Abayomi-Oluwole called on all stakeholders to remain committed to the objectives of the RWVL Nigeria Project, saying: “Together, let us ensure that every woman has a voice, every girl has an opportunity, and every community benefits from inclusive and sustainable development.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
