By Ola Taiwo
Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC) has inaugurated the Kwara State project steering committee for the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Nigeria Project.
This it did In in Ilorin, Kwara state in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, the Kwara State Government and with support from Global Affairs Canada,
The inauguration brought together representatives of government ministries, civil society organisations, community-based groups and the private sector, who pledged to work together to advance women’s rights through a coordinated implementation framework.
The foundation said that the initiative is aimed at strengthening women’s participation in governance and expanding economic opportunities for women and girls across the state.
The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of GLOHWOC, Dr. Christiana Abayomi-Oluwole, said the inauguration of the committee is a major milestone in ensuring that women’s voices influence policies and decision-making at all levels.
Abayomi-Oluwole said the RWVL project is designed to promote accountability, transparency and sustainability through grassroots-driven interventions that address the real needs of women and girls.
“The establishment of this committee is a critical milestone in ensuring that women’s voices are not only heard but reflected in decision-making processes at every level,” she said.
The GLOHWOC leader said that the foundation as the committee’s secretariat, would coordinate meetings, facilitate communication among members, monitor implementation of agreed resolutions and ensure compliance with donor requirements while promoting knowledge sharing.
While elucidating on the structure and functions of the committee Abayomi-Oluwole stated: “Under the committee’s structure, ActionAid Nigeria will provide project management, strategic leadership, technical guidance and overall coordination to ensure state activities align with national objectives and donor expectations.
“Community-based organisations, including Heart of Gold Women Liberating Initiatives and the Kwara Marketers Association Women’s Wing, will represent grassroots interests by mobilising community participation, identifying emerging challenges and ensuring interventions remain responsive to local realities.
“Government representatives on the committee include officials from the Kwara State Ministries of Planning and Economic Development, Business, Innovation and Technology, Women Affairs, and Social Development. The ministries are expected to integrate the project’s objectives into state policies and strengthen programmes on women’s economic empowerment and social protection.
“The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) will provide technical support on gender-based violence, human trafficking and survivor protection, while private sector partners, including amuGOLD Global Network and Ayo-Ayodele Pharmaceutical Chemist Ltd., will contribute through mentorship, health initiatives and business development support.”
Presenting the committee’s Terms of Reference, the Northern Coordinator of the RWVL Project, Noro Bature, commended the Kwara State Government, particularly the Ministry of Women Affairs, for its efforts in tackling gender-based violence and promoting women’s rights.
She, however, stressed the need for sustainability beyond donor funding.
“We must ensure that this project outlives donor support through strong local ownership and institutional commitment,” she said.
Bature disclosed that the project is also focused on helping women-owned businesses access international markets while promoting women’s political participation.
According to her, more than 3,000 women were supported to obtain Permanent Voter Cards during the last general election cycle, while several others received support to contest elective positions within their political parties.
Earlier, the ActionAid Nigeria Programme Manager for the RWVL Project, Niri Goyit, presented an overview of the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project.
She described the inauguration of the steering committee as a strategic step towards strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and improving project implementation.
According to her, the committee will provide policy direction, oversight and accountability while promoting innovation, learning and advocacy.
“The success of the RWVL project depends on our collective commitment to inclusion, transparency and shared leadership,” Goyit said before formally inaugurating the committee.
She stated that the 12-member committee will operate on a participatory and consensus-based decision-making model rooted in inclusivity and shared leadership.
At the end of the inauguration, representatives of participating ministries, agencies and private organisations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the committee’s mandate, expressing confidence that the initiative would improve the socio-economic wellbeing of women and girls, strengthen institutions and promote inclusive development across Kwara State.
