The Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) has strengthened economic and empowerment viability  as part of strategic approach towards combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Kano.

The approach deployed through its Women Against Violence Empowered through Sustainability (WAVES) partnership with Kano state government, Embassy of France in Nigeria and critical stakeholders has empowered more that 50 women in Kano.

Speaking at the WAVES showcase II, recently in Kano, executive director BCAI, Sani Mohammad explained that Women Against Violence Empowered through Sustainability, WAVES, was conceived in response to a persistent structural challenges; the intersection of gender-based violence and economic vulnerability against women.

Mohammad noted that responding to the  challenges, WAVES embarked on multi-purpose approach including economic empowerment, skill acquisition, financial literacy among other entrepreneurship programs to militate women vulnerability to violence.

The BCAI boss emphasized that the showcase event was designed to reflect on the impact of the training and significant to beneficiaries livelihood as the project draws towards the end of its life cycle.

The convener expressed satisfaction that the intervention has enabled 50 women beneficiaries already equipped with skills in financial literacy, climate-smart agriculture, and business development under WAVES phase II project.

Besides, a revealed the project has extended its reach across communities, while strengthening institutional linkages and policy advocacy platforms. He commended the Embassy of France in Nigeria and AgrofixiNG for their support which he said has been instrumental to the significance achievement of WAVES project.

“WAVES model is integrated approach. Economic strengthening is combined with GBV awareness, access to support systems, and climate responsive livelihood strategies. This reflects a broader understanding; that sustainable outcomes require coordinated, multisectoral responses rather than fragmented interventions.

“We also recognize that progress at the community level must connect with progress at the institutional level. Ongoing conversations around the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy present a clear opportunity; to translate grassroots impact into institutional reform. This is where sustained collaboration becomes essential”.

Kano state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aminu Abdullahi commended the Bridge Connect Africa for the GBV project which she believed will further complement the state effort to strengthen social inclusion of women in Kano.

Hajiya Abdullahi posited that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration has implemented targeted initiatives, including
monthly financial support to 5,200 women across the 44 Local Government Areas to strengthen small-scale businesses.

Similarly, the Commissioner said 400 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence have received financial assistance from the state government to rebuild their livelihoods and reintegrate productively in the society.

“While these efforts reflect the commitment of the Kano State Government under the Kano First Agenda, addressing GBV requires a multi-sectoral approach. It is therefore essential for Civil Society Organizations, private sector actors, and philanthropists to continue to play an active role in supporting and complementing government interventions”. The Commissioner added.

In his goodwill message, representative of the Embassy of France in Nigeria Pierre-Louis Bonnel, Chargé de mission coopération technique – Programme Officer said the French government is partnering with the “Bridge Connecting Africa Initiative (BCAI)” for the WAVES Project, through French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organizations (FEF OSC) to support Nigeria’s national priorities.

He said the French government was in supporting WAVES Project because it aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to combat gender-based violence, grounded in the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act).