By: John Bassey, Zamfara.
Gender Equality, Peace and Development Center (GEPaDC), in partnership with Protection Without Borders Initiative (POWIB), with funding from the French Embassy in Nigeria, formally launched the Resilient Futures Project with a major focus on internally displaced persons IDP camp women in Zamfara State.
The Resilience Futures Project, which took place at the Old State Assembly complex Opposite LALA International School, Gusau, aimed at advancing Gender Equality and Holistic Well-being for Women, Youths, and Vulnerable Communities in NorthWest Nigeria.
Speaking at the One-day Workshop, the Program Manager, Mr Charles Henry Tapalna, said the pilot project is to be implemented within a duration of 10 months in the two Local Government Areas of Gusau and Maru LGAs.
Tapalna, who was the Facilitator of the Workshop for the commencement of the project, maintained that the Project is aimed at Championing Gender Equality, Protection, Access to Justice, and Peacebuilding.
The Program Manager noted that the workshop marked the official commencement of the Ten-month multi-sectoral intervention targeting women, girls, and vulnerable groups across Gusau and Maru LGAs.
“The Resilient Futures Project, funded through the French Embassy Fund for Innovative Civil Society Projects (FEF-OSC), seeks to strengthen economic independence, gender-based violence (GBV) response systems, and women’s participation in peace processes.
“This project targets over 8,920 direct beneficiaries, with a special focus on internally displaced women, GBV survivors, and out-of-school girls, while indirectly reaching more than 30,000 community members through awareness campaigns and outreach,” he added.
Tapalna further said the project reflects the urgent need to restore dignity, build economic resilience, and promote community-driven peace among our women and youth who have long suffered from displacement, violence, and marginalization.”
“The project is structured around four strategic objectives including Economic empowerment of women and girls through vocational training, grants, and cooperative formation.
“Reduction of GBV prevalence through legal aid, safe spaces, and male engagement.
“Promotion of inclusive peacebuilding, training women mediators, and establishing women-led peace committees.
“Improvement of humanitarian access and protection for displaced persons through relief distribution and psychosocial services,” the Program Manager further said.
The project plaged off and the Workshop was attended by the representatives of the Council Chairmen of Gusau and Maru LGAs, representatives from the Gusau and Maru Emirates Councils, representatives from the State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and the Ministry.
Other event participants included representatives from the State Ministry of Health, Budget and Planning, Security Agencies, State Sexual Assault and Referral Center (SARC), Women and Youth groups, Development partners, CSOs, members of the Media, among others.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Gusau Emirate Council, Mr. Sambo A Sambo, described the project as a welcome development.
“Today marks a turning point for women and youth in Zamfara. This initiative doesn’t just offer aid, it offers hope, structure, and a resilient future for vulnerable persons, especially women and children,” he said.
He assured support, commitment, and cooperation from the Gusau Emirate Council for the success of the project.
The Vice Chairman of Maru LGA. Alhaji Laminu Dansadau pledged full support and collaboration from the Council emphasizing the project’s alignment with local values and the need for women’s empowerment.
Also, the Director of the Ministry of Budget & Planning, Mrs. Bilkisu Rabiu, noted that the project came at the right time when the Zamfara government is ready to welcome partners for the development of the state.
In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, represented by Mrs Sadiyya Mamman, lauded the timeliness of the pilot project and assured the ministry’s support for the
The representatives of security agencies attended the event also expressed their commitment to ensuring a safe and enabling environment for project implementation.
Other participants of the event from various organizations, affirmed their commitment to provide technical and institutional support towards the success of the project.
They expressed optimism and pledged inter-agency collaboration to ensure the project’s success.
At the end of the event the project received resounding endorsement from key stakeholders across sectors that attended the workshop.
