The one-day capacity-building programme, held in Owerri, was organised by the Women Information Network (WINET), in collaboration with the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement, under the Strengthening Women’s Movements in Nigeria (SWMN) project.
Speaking at the training, Executive Director of WINET, Mrs Miriam Menkiti, said the programme was aimed at strengthening the capacity of women’s rights organisations to build a coordinated and effective movement for gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
Menkiti said the broader project was designed to strengthen and sustain an inclusive, well-coordinated and impactful women’s movement capable of effectively advocating gender equality, social justice, and the economic and political empowerment of women.
According to her, the project is being implemented across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with WINET currently working in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
She said similar capacity-building programmes had already been organised for leaders of women’s rights organisations in Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra states.
Menkiti explained that the Imo training focused on movement building, gender-based violence prevention, feminist leadership and intergenerational leadership, equipping participants with knowledge and skills to strengthen their organisations and contribute more effectively to the women’s movement.
One of the participants, Executive Director of Nigercare Development AID International, Dr Ijeoma Ejike, said the training had broadened her understanding of feminism.
Ejike said she had previously believed that feminism was exclusively about women, but that the explanations provided during the training had given her a clearer understanding of the concept.
Similarly, Executive Director of Heal Global, Dr Bestdone Gilbert, described the programme as an eye-opener, particularly on the importance of solidarity among women.
Gilbert urged women to become agents of change by advocating fairness and supporting one another.
She stressed that stronger solidarity among women was essential to addressing issues affecting them and preventing gender-based violence.
The training featured sessions on Understanding Women’s Movements in Nigeria, Intergenerational Leadership, Feminist Leadership for the 21st Century, Values of Feminism, and Core Leadership Skills.
The sessions were facilitated by Menkiti; WINET Programme Manager, Mrs Ijeoma Obinna-Onwuka; and the organisation’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer and Gender Desk Officer, Mrs Chinelo Dim.
Participants were also introduced to A Reader on Feminist Thinking and Practice in Nigeria, compiled and edited by Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi and Fabia Ogunmekan, with copies of the publication distributed to some participants.
The organisers said the training formed part of broader efforts to strengthen women’s rights organisations and promote collective action for gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence in Nigeria.
