The Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation (WACHEF), with support from ActionAid Nigeria, has called for stronger protection of women’s rights and increased economic empowerment as a pathway to sustainable community development in Taraba State.
The appeal was made during the commemoration of International Women’s Day held with communities in Gashaka Local Government Area under the Local Rights Programme (LRP).
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of WACHEF’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Garba Danjuma, and the Executive Director, Mrs. Beden Mergu Barnabas, the Programme Manager of the project, Wisdom Christopher, said women’s rights remain fundamental human rights that must be protected.
Christopher noted that empowering women and safeguarding their rights enables them to confidently speak up and actively contribute to the development of their communities.
She explained that the Local Rights Programme has significantly strengthened the capacity of women in beneficiary communities. According to her, the project is currently being implemented in four communities in Gashaka Local Government Area and eight communities in Yorro Local Government Area.
Christopher further disclosed that through the programme’s savings initiative, women in the 12 participating communities have collectively saved more than N30 million.
She added that the initiative encourages women to make monthly contributions, enabling many of them to support their families and fund their children’s education.
Members of the project team also urged women to continue to demand and protect their rights, stressing that they should not remain silent in the face of injustice.
They emphasized that rights and freedom only become meaningful when individuals have the courage to act, adding that advocating for fairness and equal opportunities should not be seen as rebellion but as a legitimate exercise of rights.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Inclusive Forum for Accountable Society (IFAS), Wilfred Jimon, encouraged women to draw inspiration from successful women across various fields and strive to achieve greater milestones.
Also speaking, the Taraba State Commissioner for Heritage and Ecotourism, Titus Nagombe, commended WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria for the initiative, noting that their interventions are making positive impacts in communities within Gashaka.
Similarly, the Chairman of Gashaka Local Government Area, Umar Yusuf, praised the organisations for their developmental contributions to the area, particularly in promoting women’s economic empowerment and supporting education.
He noted that the impact of the organisations’ activities was visible in several communities and assured them of the local government’s continued collaboration in strengthening programmes that promote education and empower women.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, a resident of Jankasa community expressed appreciation to WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria for celebrating International Women’s Day with them and for donating grinding mills to women in the area.
She said the machines would help reduce the workload of women while also improving their economic activities.