Foundation Trains 100 Women, Girls In Vocational & Business Skills

A non-profit organization, Ashake Foundation has trained 100 women and girls in Nasarawa State in vocational and business skills.

The women aged 18 to 35 years and selected from thirteen communities within three local government areas of Nasarawa State – Karu, Keffi and Akwanga – were taught Basic ICT/Graphics & Web Design, Bagmaking, Pastries making, and Hair Styling/Beauty Essentials skills.

Post the empowerment programme which lasted from May to September, 2022, the women were provided startup kits to help ease the challenges often faced by new businesses. The kits included: mannequins, hair closures, hair extensions for hair stylists; leather, fabrics, measuring tools for bagmakers; hard-drives for graphics designers, among other tools. Over 67 percent of the beneficiaries have kickstarted their own businesses.

Founded by Mayowa Adegbile, Ashake Foundation aims to empower underserved women and girls from underprivileged communities in Abuja and its environs as part of its entrepreneurship development initiative to uplift women and girls across the nation.

The empowerment scheme was supported by Access Bank and Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation (ACT), the later from which the foundation received a grant.

“I am pleased about this project because I am really enthusiastic about girl empowerment, as an empowered woman is a powerful woman. When we empower a woman, we ensure her children’s education, reduce the abuse caused by poverty and ensure she becomes a pillar of support in her community. Women’s empowerment is critical for increasing women’s self-esteem, their ability to make their own decisions, and the right to influence societal change for themselves and others,” said Adegbile.

To ensure the sustainability of the scheme, the organization collaborated with facilitators in close proximity to the beneficiaries to provide them ongoing training and mentoring post the programme.