ActionAid empowers 669 women, youth in Kano, Kaduna

By Muhammed Yakubu On Jun 18, 2023

ActionAid ,empower, women, youth , Kano, Kaduna — ActionAid

The ActionAid Nigeria says its programme “We You Pro” has empowered about 669 women and youth in Kano and Kaduna to become active participants in the country’s electoral process with many of them contesting for various positions in the last election circle.

SOLACEBASE reports that the ”We You Pro” program, was a campaign for inclusion of women and young people in political and governance processes project.

Ene Obi, the Country Director of the global organization, said on Thursday, at the Close Out Meeting of the programme, that women and youth are now better equipped to take more active roles in the political process of Nigeria.

Obi explained that “The project was launched in Kano in 2001. It focused on empowering and supporting women and youth to be actively part of political processes. In Kano and Kaduna, we’ve been able to empower at least 669 women and youths across different communities.”

“We have a mentee structure and appointed people of reputable personalities as ambassadors, who helped to mobilise women and youth within their communities. From testimonies, some of those that have gone through the programme stood as candidates in the last electoral circle, although they did not win,” she added.

Obi who was represented by Celestine Odo, while expressing the optimism that a phase two of the programme would soon kick off, said the organisation’s programme manager, said they have confidence that structures already put in place would be sustained and bear more fruits before and in the 2027 general elections.

“We have built up local accountability structure made up of ambassadors and mentees, some of which have gone beyond the scope of the project to mobilise on their own using their own structures,” she said.

On his part, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by the Dankade Kano, Dr. Bashir Mohammad called on civil society organisations and international donors to see to the formation of a coalition that will metamorphose into a political action group for women and youth.

Speaking to SOLACEBASE at the event, some of the beneficiary of the program said the initiative was a turning point in their lives.

”The program has seriously impacted on our lives positively, as we now have more resilient to participate in politics so as to contribute our quotas.”