By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
Plan International in partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) have distributed business start-up kits to 78 adolescent girls and young women in Bauchi State to drive economic independence and health awareness.
The distribution is a key milestone under the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nigeria (ASPIRE) project, funded by the Canadian government.
This multi-sectoral initiative operates in Bauchi and Sokoto states, the program integrates economic livelihood with Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). It addresses health, gender inequality, harmful social norms, and financial exclusion simultaneously and integrates economic livelihood with Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
In her address at the occasion, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development, Dr Lydia Haruna Tsanmani, commended the efforts towards implementing and integrating interventions that link Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender equality, mental health, and economic empowerment in addressing the challenges affecting adolescent girls and young women in Bauchi State.
Represented by the Acting Director, Women Affairs, Hadiza Ahmed, the Commissioner noted that the project lowers vulnerabilities by increasing awareness of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), prevention measures, and response pathways.
“We also appreciate the inclusive process through which the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups were established, with the Ministry of Women Affairs playing a leading role through this valuable partnership.”
“Through this collaboration, Ten Women Development Officers, two Ministry Staff members, and fourteen young female facilitators were trained, leading to the successful establishment of over 30 VSLA groups across the 10 implementing Local Government Areas.”
“These VSLA platforms have significantly strengthened financial literacy, promoted a culture of savings, and enhanced entrepreneurship and business management skills among women and girls. The initiative has also supported viable income-generating activities, thereby improving livelihoods and economic resilience”.
“Importantly, the ASPIRE project has contributed to reducing vulnerability through increased awareness of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), including prevention measures, response mechanisms, and referral pathways,” She said.
In his remarks, the National Project Manager, PLAN International ASPIRE Project, Mohammed Murtala Bello, pointed out that the ASPIRE Project is a multi-Sectoral initiative supported by the GAC and implemented by PLAN International Nigeria in Bauchi and Sokoto States.
He said that it seeks to address interconnected barriers affecting adolescent girls and young women, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender inequality, harmful social norms, mental health and psychological well-being and economic exclusion.
“To respond to these challenges, the project adopts an integrated approach that combines SRHR awareness, gender equality, mental health and psychosocial support, life skills, and economic empowerment”.
“One of the key economic empowerment strategies under the project includes the strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and women’s economic
mpowerment platforms. These platforms provide safe and structured spaces for savings, mancial literacy, peer learning, leadership development, psychosocial support, and practical business growth”.
“Through the VSLA approach, adolescent girls and young women have been supported to build knowledge and skills in budgeting, savings, marketing, financial management, entrepreneurship, business planning, and decision-making”.
“The project also integrates awareness on gender-based violence prevention and response, referral pathways, SRHR information, and psychosocial wellbeing, ensuring that economic empowerment is linked to gader wellbeing, safety, and agency” he said.
Also speaking, a traditional ruler, Dan Iyan Bauchi, Suleiman Ahmed Bashir, commemded PLAN International with support from the Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through the ASPIRE Project for empowering adolescent girls and young women to make them self relevant and employers of labor.
Some of the beneficiaries that spoke during the event thanked PLAN International for impacting their lives positively with the start-up kits, saying that the gesture will help them to become economically independent.
