World Bank Backed Women Empowerment Programme Takes Off in Amesi
Hundreds of women in Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area, have embraced the Anambra State Nigeria for Women Programme Scale Up (NFWP SU), a World Bank supported initiative designed to improve women’s access to finance, strengthen small businesses, expand healthcare coverage and create greater economic opportunities across the state.
The community sensitization, held at the Amesi Social Club of Nigeria Hall, brought together women, community leaders and stakeholders to deepen awareness of the programme and its benefits ahead of full implementation.
The Local Government Facilitator, Dr. Ebere Charity Okonkwo, encouraged women to participate actively through the Women Affinity Group model, which promotes economic cooperation, savings and sustainable livelihoods.
The State Project Coordinator, Ms. Hope Okoye, said the programme is focused on improving the socio economic wellbeing of women and youths through empowerment and financial inclusion. She explained that beneficiaries would be organized into self selected Women Affinity Groups comprising 20 to 25 women engaged in legitimate economic activities.
Okoye noted that the programme is being implemented in Anambra following the success of its first phase in other states and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for bringing the initiative to the state. She added that beneficiaries would also be enrolled in the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency health insurance scheme, while Ward Facilitators would be recruited to support effective grassroots implementation.
Representatives of the community welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major opportunity to strengthen businesses, improve household incomes and support women engaged in trading, farming, palm oil production and cassava processing.
The Women Leader of Amesi assured the project team of the community’s readiness to establish Women Affinity Groups and participate fully in the programme to improve the livelihoods of women and their families.
Officials of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency sensitized participants on the benefits of the state’s subsidized health insurance scheme and encouraged women to enroll for affordable healthcare services.
Participants also received education on Gender Based Violence, project safeguards and grievance reporting mechanisms. The programme reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion by ensuring equal participation of indigenes, non indigenes and persons with disabilities.
The sensitization in Amesi is part of the ongoing statewide awareness campaign ahead of the full implementation of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale Up in six local government areas across the three senatorial zones of Anambra State.
