Zamfara Empowers Women With Grants, Trainings

The Zamfara State government has intensified its efforts to promote women’s economic independence by empowering thousands of women with skills training, financial support and business opportunities across the state.

This was disclosed by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaji Garba Aliyu Gayari, during a two-day workshop on women’s economic empowerment organised by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in Abuja.

Alhaji Gayari stated that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal, recognises women’s empowerment as a key driver of economic growth, stressing that it is not an act of charity but a strategic investment in national development.

He revealed that the state government recently trained one hundred and twenty women on social media marketing and digital tools. Upon completion of the training, each participant received an Android device and a grant of N100,000.

The permanent secretary noted that the government places strong emphasis on women’s economic self-reliance.

He highlighted recent initiatives under the Office of the First Lady, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, which have empowered thousands of women through business grants and cash transfers ranging from N50,000 to N150,000 to support small-scale ventures such as poultry farming, tailoring and petty trading.

He added that additional initiatives from the Office of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, implemented in collaboration with the Zamfara State First Lady, have contributed significantly to improving women’s economic participation across the state.

Alhaji Gayari further disclosed that hundreds of vulnerable women, including orphans and the less privileged, have benefited from marriage support programmes facilitated by the Office of the First Lady in partnership with the Zakat and Endowment Board.

The programme covers dowries of up to N200,000, provision of essential household items such as furniture and kitchen utensils, and support for each bride with N50,000 to start a small business.

On the ministry’s efforts, he stated that under the leadership of Dr Aisha Anka, the ministry, through various partnerships, has trained women in reproductive health and vocational skills acquisition programmes.

Each participant also received startup capital of N45,000.

He assured that Zamfara State government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, will soon expand the initiatives to provide more opportunities for thousands of women across the state.