A broad coalition of government officials, civil society organisations, development partners and private sector representatives has launched the Kwara State Project Steering Committee for the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Nigeria Project, with a renewed focus on strengthening women’s participation in leadership and boosting their economic empowerment.
Speaking during the inauguration, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), Dr. Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, described the committee as a strategic platform that would drive collaboration among stakeholders while ensuring women and girls across Kwara benefit from greater leadership and development opportunities.
She said the committee would provide policy direction for the project, establish effective governance structures and coordinate efforts among government institutions, women’s groups and civil society organisations.
“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.
Dr. Abayomi-Oluwole explained that the committee would develop accountability mechanisms, strengthen communication among partners and prepare a sustainability roadmap to ensure the project’s impact continues after donor funding ends.
She commended ActionAid Nigeria, Global Affairs Canada, the Government of Canada, government agencies, civil society organisations and the media for supporting the initiative.
The GLOHWOC boss noted that the foundation was selected to lead the implementation of the RWVL Nigeria Project in Kwara because of its experience, grassroots presence, institutional capacity and longstanding commitment to promoting women’s rights.
She reiterated the organisation’s commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, accountability and ensuring that no woman is excluded from the project’s benefits.
Outlining the economic focus of the initiative, Dr. Abayomi-Oluwole identified shea butter processing, cassava processing, groundnut processing, Adire and Aso-Oke textile production, as well as other agro-processing activities, as sectors capable of increasing women’s incomes through value addition, branding, improved 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 said.
She also urged stronger collaboration with state ministries, local government councils, financial institutions, development agencies, research bodies, cooperatives and private sector operators to mobilise resources and create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
According to her, the steering committee will also work to strengthen women’s cooperatives, improve access to finance and markets, identify advocacy priorities and encourage community ownership of the project.
At the end of the meeting, members agreed to establish communication channels, prepare an annual work plan, identify priority advocacy issues and convene the committee’s first quarterly review meeting.
Dr. Abayomi-Oluwole charged stakeholders to champion the objectives of the RWVL Nigeria Project within their organisations and communities.
“Together, let us ensure that every woman has a voice, every girl has an opportunity, and every community benefits from inclusive and sustainable development,” she said.
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