Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), an NGO, has trained 20 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention advocacy and adoption of Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy in Kano State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day training, held under the Women Against Violence, Empowered through Sustainability (WAVES) Phase II project, is supported by the French Embassy.
NAN also reports that the training brought together Executive Directors, Senior Programme Officers, and State Coordinators of various CSOs to strengthen collaboration and build capacity for evidence-based advocacy.
Speaking at the event on Thursday in Kano, Mr Nathan Bako, Project Lead for WAVES, said the workshop marked the beginning of a new phase of engagement following the completion of the first phase, which focused on women training and empowerment.
“This phase is about collaboration and shared learning among CSOs to build their capacity in advocacy. While training women and creating access to opportunities are crucial, we understand that real change also requires policy action.
“Although a national framework for WEE exists, Kano State is yet to domesticate the policy.
“The state government has made progress in drafting the Bill, but we believe it needs a little push.
“Our goal is to ensure that the WEE policy remains a top priority for adoption and implementation,” the project lead said.
He explained that once adopted, the policy would provide a clear framework for government and stakeholders to improve women’s access to resources, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and labour opportunities, thereby enhancing their socio-economic well-being.
Bako further explained that the idea was to build a unified CSO coalition in Kano that “speaks with one voice to drive policy change and create sustainable economic inclusion for women.”
NAN reports that the WAVES project, funded by the French Embassy, aims to promote women’s empowerment and reduce GBV through advocacy, partnerships, and community-driven initiatives.
NAN