Nigeria for Women Project: Federal Government Expands $100 Million World Bank Initiative to Boost Rural Empowerment.
The Federal Government is set to broaden the impact of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) in partnership with the World Bank, aiming to extend economic empowerment to rural communities nationwide.
Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, disclosed this development during a pivotal meeting in Abuja on Thursday, attended by key stakeholders including the World Bank and UNICEF.
Kennedy-Ohanenye highlighted that the restructuring and expansion of the NFWP would significantly transform the lives of rural women, fostering economic empowerment and revenue generation. Moreover, she emphasized that this initiative would serve as a sustainable source of livelihood, contributing to improved living conditions in rural areas.
World Bank’s Perspective
Taimur Samad, the World Bank Operations Manager in Nigeria, stressed the vital importance of gender-based empowerment within their portfolio. He expressed the bank’s commitment to delivering results and continuing collaboration at both federal and state levels.
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“The NFWP is designed to impact millions of women and their families, and the World Bank stands ready to support the Nigerian government and its people. We are open to new thoughts and ideas,” Samad added.
Insights from UNICEF
Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, highlighted the substantial achievements in mobilizing financial resources for women and girls’ economic empowerment across diverse regions in Nigeria through the NFWP. She emphasized the collaborative effort’s instrumental role in improving women’s access to resources, supporting women’s entrepreneurship, and enhancing their participation in the business and private sectors.
“This collaboration aligns seamlessly with SDG 5, focusing on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. We hope it will act as a catalyst for breaking barriers and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria,” said Dr. Rownak Khan.
