By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
As part of stakeholder engagement, the Faimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) has conducted advocacy visits to key Bauchi state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to formally introduce the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) project, its goal, and objectives.
The FAWOYDI Acting Executive Director, Mustapha Idris Ajanah, stated that the advocacy visit objectives are to introduce RWVL project to MDAs, share thematic areas of implementation and LGAs, inform them on grants support to FAWOYDI and 6 CBOs.
Key issues discussed are project implementing LGAs which are Alkaleri, Bauchi, and Ganjuwa across 8 communities.
Another issue discussed is the grants that have been disbursed to FAWOYDI as the lead organization and to 6 selected CBOs after the PAM exercise as part of efforts to implement community level activities on women’s rights, advocacy, GBV, and economic empowerment.
In their responses, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development represented by
Bello Abdullahi, Director Admin, welcomed the project and commended FAWOYDI and Actionaid for aligning with state ender policy, and promised technical support, participation in steering committee and linking the project to state program.
The Director Planning, Ministry of Budget, Planning, and Multi-Lateral Coordination Babaji Garba Rauta, appreciated the visit, assuring inclusion of RWVL in donor coordination meetings and promised to support monitoring and linkages to development plans and sharing of quarterly reports.
The Gender desk officer for Agency for people with disability,Mrs. Sylvia Gabriel Abah, who represented the Executive Secretary of the agency, commended the inclusion approach, requesting for a deliberate inclusion of women with disabilities in VSLAs, steering committee and trainings.
Regarding collaboration and data sharing, the Director, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Baba Jibrin who represented the Permanent Secretary, expressed readiness to support women economic empowerment component, promised to link VSLA groups to business registration, market access and state empowerment schemes.
