WVL-N Project: Minister Lauds ActionAid for Support on Women, Girls’ Issues.
Lagos, Nigeria – Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, commended ActionAid Nigeria for its supportive role to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs over the years. The commendation was given during the Women’s Voice and Leadership Project (WVL-N) close-out event in Lagos, which celebrated five years of impacting the lives of women and girls in the state.
Represented by Mr. Adamu Samaila, a Deputy Director, the minister acknowledged ActionAid’s contributions in several key areas, including violence against women and girls, women’s political participation and governance, economic empowerment, peace and security, unpaid care work, international women’s programs, and supporting the passage of gender bills at the National Assembly.
Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, also praised the WVL-N project for amplifying women’s voices and empowering them to take leadership roles, thereby effecting positive changes in their communities. Represented by Mrs. Aishat Yakuba, Senior Special Assistant, Cabinet Affairs, Salu-Hundeyin highlighted the inspiring stories of resilience and triumph that emerged from the project.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO of Women’s Radio 91.7fm, emphasized the transformative change brought about by the project, supported by a significant investment of over N327 million. She noted the collaborative efforts with state actors, government officials, schools, and community leaders to prioritize women and girls’ issues in policymaking.
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Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, reiterated the project’s unwavering mission since its inception in 2019: to empower women, confront harmful cultural practices, and advance gender equality. He reported that the project had positively impacted 698,508 women and girls across 14 local government areas and 46 communities in Lagos State, thanks to support from Global Affairs Canada and the efforts of Local Women’s Right Organisations (LWROs) and 12 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs).
“Our interventions have created ripples of change, impacting countless women, girls, and their families. We have established safe spaces, provided legal support for survivors of gender-based violence, and fostered women’s economic empowerment and leadership. The transformations we witness today are profound and heartwarming,” Mamedu said.
