Kano Govt Empowers Women With Processing Machines

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment by distributing food-processing machines to 10 beneficiaries under the Women Against Violence Empowered through Sustainability (WAVES II) Project.

The intervention, facilitated by the state Ministry of Budget and Planning, is designed to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and reduce vulnerabilities associated with Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Speaking during the distribution at the Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) office in Kano, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abdullahi Ajumawa, who represented the Commissioner, said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy of promoting economic independence among women.

He noted that empowering women financially is critical to addressing the risks and impacts of GBV, urging beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by effectively utilising the machines to expand their businesses and improve household income.

“This support is part of our commitment to ensuring that women are self-reliant and economically stable,” he said.

The gesture also fulfilled a pledge made by the ministry during the WAVES project showcase, where it committed to providing capital support to selected beneficiaries.

In her remarks, the Chief Operating Officer of Bridge Connect Africa Initiative, the implementing partner, commended the State Government for sustaining collaboration on women-focused programmes. She emphasised the importance of partnerships among government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and communities to advance economic inclusion and protect vulnerable groups.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, highlighting its impact on their livelihoods.

One of them, Mardiyya, said the support had enabled her to return her children to school and improve her family’s welfare by generating income from her small business.

Another beneficiary, Hauwa’u, noted that the training in entrepreneurship and climate-smart farming, combined with the equipment support, had strengthened her capacity to contribute to household income.

Meanwhile, the WAVES II Project, implemented by BCAI with support from the Embassy of France in Nigeria, promotes sustainable livelihoods, women’s economic inclusion and community resilience through skills development, enterprise support and integrated GBV prevention strategies.