VSF launches its Women Economic Empowerment Programme

Victims Support Fund completed the launch of its Women Economic Empowerment Programme in Bara Yobe State. The pilot phase of the project kicked off in Maiduguri the Borno State capital with 1000 women given the sum of 20 million naira to help enhance their means of livelihood. The final phase saw a total of 7000 women receive a cash grant of N20,000 each to help in income generating activities, strengthen their business and life skills and help aid financial independence.

The beneficiaries of the Women Economic Empowerment project are women victims of insurgency who lost their husbands or Heads of Households who now have to fend for their families.2000 women in Adamawa 3500 in Borno and 1500 in Yobe were selected, trained in Savings and Loans Association and formed into groups of 20 according to income generating activity. These women are given free cash grant of N20,000 each to start a business of their choice. The project will strengthen small scale enterprise for the 7000 women beneficiaries and enable income generation and nutrition for households.

The Executive Director VSF Dr. Sunday Ochoche said that the overall goal of the project is to Top of Fo assist improve livelihood and create business opportunity for the beneficiaries. He further explained  that the programme started last year with 1,000 Internally Displaced Women living in IDP camps in Maiduguri and after the successful outcome of the project, VSF expanded it to reach more women and also cover additional affected states.