Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Sunday launch the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) in Katsina State, with the rollout of a Community Investment Fund designed to expand economic opportunities for women in Daura and Funtua local government areas.
Katsina State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, disclosed this at a press conference ahead of the launch.
She said the Community Investment Fund would provide direct financial support to 57,432 women, describing the initiative as a major intervention aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation, particularly among poor and vulnerable households.
Under the programme framework, beneficiaries will be organised into Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), which will serve as platforms for building savings, accessing financial and non-financial services, developing businesses and connecting participants to markets.
World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist and Task Team Leader for the Nigeria for Women Programme, Michael Ilesanmi, said the programme was designed to be inclusive and open to all eligible women, including persons with disabilities.
“Every woman aged 18 and above in the implementing communities is eligible to participate. The programme is intentionally inclusive, reaching vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities, who are already participating actively and excelling in Katsina State. Regardless of background, every eligible woman can join,” Ilesanmi said.
He explained that participation in Women Affinity Groups would help beneficiaries build social capital that could improve their access to financial, economic and civic opportunities.
The launch is expected to bring together federal and state government officials, development partners, women’s groups and other stakeholders as Katsina begins the next phase of the programme’s expansion of women’s economic inclusion.
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