Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) across nine states and the Federal Capital Territory are expanding programmes on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, political participation and the prevention of gender-based violence under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL-N) Project.

The five-year initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, is being carried out in Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos and the FCT.

According to a statement by the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VOWEF), one of the participating organisations, the project provides institutional support, grant funding, advocacy and movement-building opportunities to strengthen organisations working to advance the rights of women and girls.

As part of the interventions, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) said it is implementing financial literacy and entrepreneurship programmes for women in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau states. The organisation added that it had engaged 56 traditional, religious and community leaders across 10 communities to support its financial inclusion initiatives.

In Cross River State, Gender and Development Action (GADA) said it is conducting an assessment of gender gaps in the palm oil, cocoa and seafood value chains to provide evidence for advocacy aimed at improving women’s participation in the sectors.

In Enugu State, the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) said it facilitated the inauguration of the state’s RWVL-N Project Steering Committee to strengthen coordination among government agencies and civil society organisations responding to gender-based violence.

According to WACOL, members of the committee include the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Enugu Zonal Command; the state ministries of Children, Gender and Social Development; Budget and Planning; Trade, Investment and Industry; and the Enugu State Disability Commission.

The statement also said Women Radio 91.7FM is producing programmes on women’s political participation, candidate visibility and voter education ahead of the 2027 general election, while VOWEF is profiling women leaders and providing information on the electoral process.

It added that similar interventions focused on economic empowerment, leadership development and social inclusion are ongoing in Benue, Imo, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos and the FCT.

Beyond programme implementation, the RWVL-N Project said it is supporting participating organisations to strengthen their institutional capacity and sustainability while promoting collaboration among Women’s Rights Organisations across the country.

The initiative builds on the earlier Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project, which organisers said laid the foundation for the current phase aimed at strengthening locally led women’s rights organisations.