Katsina State has participated in a 7- Day peer learning visit to Ogun State, as part of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up Initiative.
The delegation, led by the State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Yar’adua, represented the state during the exercise aimed at enhancing women’s economic empowerment strategies.
Hajiya Hadiza noted that the peer learning was conducted in partnership with the World Bank, as a step towards preparing smooth take off of the 29 scale-up states of NFWP that improve women’s economic empowerment.
The session brought together key stakeholders from Katsina, Zamfara, and Jigawa states to explore innovative approaches to women’s development and economic inclusion.
Hajiya Hadiza noted that the training provides participants with firsthand exposure to Ogun State’s success stories, challenges, and innovations in women’s empowerment.
“Participants engaged in extensive interactions with Ogun State Government officials, community-based organizations and women’s groups to gain insights into a successful project implementation model,” Hajiya Hadiza explained.
“As part of the visit itinerary, we paid a visit to the Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) in Abeokuta, where women demonstrated their savings and loan processes, entrepreneurial ventures, and collective action for community development,” Hadiza noted.
Speaking of the learning outcomes, the State Commissioner of Women Affairs highlighted that it spelled out importance of community ownership of projects, leveraging digital tools for project monitoring, financial inclusion and addressing cultural barriers through continuous sensitization.
“Participants, however, recommended scaling up successful models, strengthening capacity building, investment in technology and enhancing advocacy efforts to maximize the project’s effectiveness,” she added.
Hajiya Hadiza furthered that Governor Radda’s commitment to women’s empowerment was evident in the strategic approach of the delegation, which aimed to extract practical solutions and innovative strategies to implement in Katsina State.