Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE) holds a 3day capacity building workshop for women-led civil society organizations in Nigeria

Elizabeth Jonah

Abuja Nigeria, a non-governmental organization, Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE) has successfully launched a women-led and women-focused network, uniting NGOs, CSOs, and women-owned businesses through the USAID program partnered with Palladium International. The joint platform aims to amplify the voices of these organizations, advocating for women’s and girls’ rights, particularly in issues related to gender-based violence, child marriages, and trafficking.

The network, which comprises 198 member organizations, recently gathered in Abuja, with the first batch of 30 organizations commencing their capacity-building and strengthening planning Workshop. The workshop was aimed at women-led organizations that lacked adequate resources and guidance, enabling them to bolster their capacity and continue their impactful work.

Speaking during the 3days capacity building workshop on “Organizational Sustainability and Resource Mobilization” organized for the first 30 batches of the women-led CSOs hosted at the Hawthorn Suites in Area 11, Abuja from the 26th – 28th of July 2023, the Executive Director, Dr. Mrs. Josephine Ogazi, expressed overwhelming joy and admiration for the energy and commitment exhibited by the participants during the capacity-building workshop. She revealed, “In all my 20 years of capacity-building and strengthening, I’ve never seen this sort of energy and compliance. It brought tears to my eyes when the women-led organizations expressed gratitude for receiving support they had never experienced before. The knowledge sharing and learning in these support networks have been remarkable.”

“Today’s training focused on sustainability and capacity-building, aiming to equip the first members of the network with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive” She added

Some participants also shared their positive experiences during the workshop:

Ronke Ojeikere, the Initiator of the Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Children Abuse (SOTHAWACA), expressed her initial reservations but was pleasantly surprised by the interactive and personalized approach of the facilitators. “The workshop was really interesting and educating. I learned so much from people’s experiences. I am grateful to USAID, Palladium, WEWE, and The American Government for the funds and support,” she said.

Also, Oluwatoyin Adebayo, the Programs Manager of the Youthcare Development Empowerment Initiative in Ibadan, was particularly impressed with the Organizational Capacity Assessment, which offered valuable insights into areas of improvement for her organization. “I will put what I’ve learned to good use and ensure we implement all that has been taught. Thanks to USAID, WEWE, Palladium International, and The American People for the training and support network,” she stated.

Professor Obioma Paul FAS, the Executive Director of the Global Health Awareness Research Foundation in Enugu, lauded the assertive and educative nature of the workshop. After 26 years of NGO work, she found this workshop exceptional in its simplified approach to developing objectives and building organizational capacity. She thanked USAID, WEWE, Palladium, and all the collaborating CSOs and NGOs.

The training workshop provided a powerful platform for women-led organizations to equip themselves with the tools and knowledge to drive meaningful change. The united efforts of USAID, Palladium, and WEWE have demonstrated a resolute commitment to empowering women and advancing gender equality in Nigeria.