The ActionAid Nigeria has unveiled a new gender equality initiative worth ₦11 billion, aimed at empowering women and girls across the country.
The programme, known as the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) project, is a five-year scheme funded by Global Affairs Canada.
RWVL seeks to strengthen women-led organisations, enhance political participation, and combat gender-based violence nationwide.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday in Abuja, Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, described the project as a demonstration of his country’s commitment to advancing gender equality.
“We are absolutely honoured to be part of this initiative. It supports locally-led women’s rights groups, helps tackle gender-based violence, promotes economic empowerment, and pushes for policies that protect women,” Salvaggio said.
Also speaking, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu said the project would target more than 2.7 million women across Nigeria, including those living with disabilities, women in politics, and those facing discrimination or exclusion.
“The project will directly engage 188 women-led organisations. We are committed to ensuring these groups reach communities at the grassroots, from local governments to the state level,” he said.
According to ActionAid, the initiative will cover eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“It will also create emergency funding opportunities to address urgent women’s rights challenges, such as political violence and sudden crises.
“This is about ensuring that when emergencies happen, women’s organisations have resources to respond quickly,” he added.
Valued at 15 million Canadian dollars, the RWVL project is expected to impact women across all 36 states over time.
ActionAid said it would work closely with federal and state governments, civil society, and development partners to deliver on its targets.
