STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS AND AMPLIFYING WOMEN VOICES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR WOMEN.
Date: April 10th – 12th, 2025
Venue: CERSDOV Auditorium, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi Road, Hayin Dogo, Rigachikun, Kaduna
Powered By: Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF)
The Institutional Strengthening and Women’s Empowerment Activities, including Leadership Training for Women is a three-day capacity-building program organized to empower women through transformative training on leadership, advocacy, and gender-based institutional development. The program, held at the CERSDOV Auditorium in Rigachikun from April 10th to 12th, 2025, is proudly sponsored by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF). It brings together women from diverse backgrounds with the shared goal of building stronger institutions through inclusive leadership and women’s empowerment.
Day One Highlight: Leadership and Advocacy Skills Development
The opening session featured a dynamic paper on Leadership and Advocacy Skills Development, presented by Prince Adefarakan Adedayo Yusufu, the Managing Director. His session focused on cultivating the mindset, skills, and strategies needed to lead effectively in both public and private spaces. Participants engaged in thought-provoking conversations on the importance of vision, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership, while also learning practical tools for influencing policy and leading advocacy campaigns. The session emphasized the urgency of amplifying women’s voices in governance and institutional reform processes.
Day Two Highlight: Understanding and Addressing VAWG
The second day featured a profound and insightful session titled Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), delivered by Professor Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf, a renowned gender expert and advocate. Prof. Hauwa’u guided participants through a comprehensive analysis of the root causes, forms, and impact of VAWG in Nigerian society. She highlighted the intersection of cultural norms, structural inequality, and weak institutional response mechanisms that perpetuate violence against women and girls. The session also explored effective strategies for prevention, survivor-centered support systems, and policy advocacy. Participants were encouraged to become community-based change agents in the fight against gender-based violence.
This ongoing program is not only a training but a movement—one that seeks to strengthen institutions by equipping women to lead, advocate, and transform their societies.
Day Three Hoghlight: Title: Strengthened Organizational and Fundraising Skills
Presenter: Dr. Bilques Yusuf
This paper highlights effective strategies for building strong organizational structures and enhancing fundraising capacity. Dr. Bilques Yusuf explores practical approaches to planning, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. The presentation offers valuable insights into how NGOs and community-based organizations can develop internal systems that boost productivity, accountability, and long-term impact.