By MARIE-THERESE NANLONG
The Plateau State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion as implementation of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) begins in Jos South, Mangu and Mikang local government areas.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Dafur, disclosed this during advocacy visits to key stakeholders and community leaders in the three councils.
Representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Dafur said the state government had demonstrated its commitment to the programme by providing a counterpart fund of ₦450 million.
She described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of women, enhancing financial inclusion and reducing poverty at the grassroots.
“The empowerment programme will enable women to contribute meaningfully to their homes and communities while improving their financial inclusion in society,” she said.
Dafur noted that the programme had recorded success in states where it was previously implemented and expressed confidence that it would improve household welfare and strengthen women’s economic participation in Plateau.
The State Project Coordinator of NFWP-SU, Nanret Agaba, said the programme would be implemented through Women Affinity Groups, which would serve as platforms for savings, access to credit and other income-generating activities.
According to her, the project targets women aged 18 years and above who are engaged in livelihood activities, irrespective of religion or ethnic background.
Agaba disclosed that the pilot phase would cover 1,200 Women Affinity Groups across the three local government areas, while 120 ward facilitators would be recruited and trained to support implementation and monitoring.
She said the initiative is designed to strengthen social capital, promote entrepreneurship and create sustainable economic opportunities for women.
As part of activities preceding implementation, the project team conducted advocacy visits to traditional rulers, religious leaders and local government authorities, alongside sensitisation meetings aimed at mobilising women to participate in the programme.
Traditional rulers and community leaders in the benefiting areas welcomed the initiative and pledged support for its implementation, describing it as a timely intervention to improve household incomes and enhance community development.
The advocacy and sensitisation exercises recorded strong participation from women and community stakeholders, many of whom expressed readiness to join or form Women Affinity Groups under the programme.