By Ishola Adeyemi
PLAN International collaboration with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has empowered and supported 78 selected adolescent girls and young women in Bauchi State with start-up kits linked to their approved business plans and identified market opportunities.
The programme was implemented by PLAN International in partnership with the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada under the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nigeria (ASPIRE) Project.
The event, held on Tuesday, highlighted ASPIRE’s contribution to women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, livelihood development and resilience-building, while also demonstrating the value of integrated programming that connects Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender equality, protection, mental health and psychological well-being.
It also provided an opportunity to strengthen stakeholders’ visibility around the project’s results, promote continued support for adolescent girls and young women, and showcase practical pathways for improving their agency, confidence, livelihoods and participation in household and community decision-making.
In her remarks at the occasion, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Dr Lydia Haruna Tsanmani, stated:
“We commend 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 of Women Affairs, Hadiza Ahmed, the commissioner added:
“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.”
According to her, through the collaboration, 10 Women Development Officers, two ministry staff members and 14 young female facilitators were trained, leading to the successful establishment of more than 30 VSLA groups across the 10 implementing local government areas.
She explained that the VSLA platforms had 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,” she said.
The commissioner further stressed that the ASPIRE Project had contributed to reducing vulnerability through increased awareness of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), including prevention measures, response mechanisms and referral pathways.
“Many women and girls have testified that participation in these groups has helped them better understand the importance of joint decision-making while empowering them socially and economically. We therefore commend Plan International and Global Affairs Canada for this impactful intervention, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the well-being, protection and economic empowerment of women and girls,” she added.
Speaking earlier, National Project Manager of PLAN International ASPIRE Project, Mohammed Murtala Bello, explained that the ASPIRE Project is a multi-sectoral initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by PLAN International Nigeria in Bauchi and Sokoto State.
He said the project seeks to address interconnected barriers affecting adolescent girls and young women, particularly in relation to SRHR, gender inequality, harmful social norms, mental health and psychological well-being, as well as economic exclusion.
According to him, 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 is the strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and women’s economic empowerment platforms,” he said.
He explained that the platforms provide safe and structured spaces for savings, financial 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,” Bello stated.
He added that the project also integrates awareness on gender-based violence prevention and response, referral pathways, SRHR information and psychosocial well-being, ensuring that economic empowerment is linked to gender well-being, safety and agency.
Bello stressed that the distribution of start-up kits marked an important milestone in the project’s economic empowerment pathway.
“It follows a gender-responsive market assessment, structured entrepreneurship training, business plan development and a grant funding process designed to support viable income-generating activities,” he said.
According to him, the start-up kits are intended to help selected participants establish or expand small businesses, strengthen resilience and improve their access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Also speaking, the Dan Iyan Bauchi, Suleiman Ahmed Bashir, commended PLAN International and Global Affairs Canada through the ASPIRE Project for empowering adolescent girls and young women to become self-reliant and employers of labour.
The traditional ruler warned beneficiaries against selling the items given to them, urging them to use the support for its intended purpose.
Some of the beneficiaries, in separate testimonies, appreciated PLAN International and Global Affairs Canada for implementing the ASPIRE Project, saying it had reduced their dependence on family members and improved their ability to support themselves and others.
They assured that the empowerment items would be put to judicious use and expressed hope that more adolescent girls and young women would benefit from future interventions under the project.
