From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Over 6500 internally dispalced women in Benue state have accessed Safe Spaces as well as benefiting from program of TAHAV Project, an initiative by the Center for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa, RACE.
The program is aimed at boosting economic resilience and social empowerment.
At a recent stakeholder dialogue on the sustainability of the Promoting Women’s Economic Resilience (POWER) Project, Evelyn Ugbe, Executive Director of RACE, highlighted the transformative achievements of the initiative.
She said over the past ten months, the foundstion has trained 50 women in vocational and business management skills, established the TAHAV Women Cooperative Society, and launched the first women-led community development initiative for IDPs in the state,” Ugbe stated.
She added that the project’s reach has grown exponentially.
She said “from 50 women, we have expanded to 200 beneficiaries in the cooperative, and over 1,500 women have accessed our Safe Spaces program. Indirectly, more than 5,000 women and their families are benefiting from these interventions.”
Ugbe revealed that the collaboration with government agencies had been central to the project’s sustainability.
“The state government has committed to taking ownership of the structures we have built. The State Cash Transfer Agency will integrate TAHAV women into social welfare programs, while the Bureau of Statistics will include them in future social registries.”
The initiative also focuses on economic growth and export readiness stating that “the Nigerian Export Promotion Council has pledged support to ensure these women upgrade their businesses and produce exportable goods, enhancing livelihoods and opening new markets,”.
According to her the project goes beyond economic empowerment, addressing social protection for women. Safe Spaces, in partnership with FIDA and Sexual Assault Referral Centers, provide legal and psychosocial support to survivors of Gender-Based Violence, GBV.
“We wouldn’t have done this alone without the Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative, GERI. It is a partnership that has transformed lives. And I must say it is a passionate intervention,” she added.
Ugbe called for expanded partnerships and support. “With over 8,000 women and girls in IDP camps, what we’ve achieved is just the beginning. We need more investments, technical assistance, and market access to scale up the TAHAV model.”
Other stakeholders praised RACE’s work. Dr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, Director-General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), expressed strong support, while Mr. Emmanuel Waghbo, of the State Cash Transfer Unit, assured that women IDPs would be fully included in social protection schemes.
Ann Adulugba, representing the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, said, “RACE is helping us promote non-oil exports by ensuring women produce market-ready products. We will continue to provide training and support for business growth.”
Stakeholders observed that the dialogue underscored a shared commitment to ensure the sustainability and expansion of the TAHAV Project, offering a blueprint for long-term empowerment of women IDPs across Benue State.
