Plan International, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), has distributed business start-up kits to 78 adolescent girls and young women in Bauchi State as part of efforts to improve economic independence and strengthen awareness around health and gender issues.
The distribution was carried out under the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nigeria (ASPIRE) project, a Canadian government-funded initiative currently being implemented in Bauchi and Sokoto states.
The ASPIRE project combines economic empowerment with Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), targeting major challenges affecting adolescent girls and young women, including poverty, harmful social norms, gender inequality, mental health concerns, and financial exclusion.
Speaking during the distribution event, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Dr Lydia Haruna Tsanmani, described the intervention as an important step towards improving the wellbeing and future of young women across the state.
Represented by the Acting Director of Women Affairs, Hadiza Ahmed, the Commissioner said the initiative has helped to connect economic empowerment with awareness on SRHR, mental health, and protection against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
She said the project has also strengthened collaboration between PLAN International Nigeria and the Ministry of Women Affairs through the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups across the state.
“We appreciate the inclusive process through which the VSLA groups were established, with the Ministry of Women Affairs playing a leading role through this valuable partnership,” she said.
According to her, ten Women Development Officers, two ministry staff members, and fourteen young female facilitators were trained under the programme, leading to the establishment of more than 30 VSLA groups across the 10 implementing Local Government Areas in Bauchi State.
She explained that the VSLA platforms have improved financial literacy among women and girls while also promoting savings culture, entrepreneurship, and business management skills.
“These VSLA platforms have significantly strengthened financial literacy, promoted a culture of savings, and enhanced entrepreneurship and business management skills among women and girls,” she stated.
“The initiative has also supported viable income-generating activities, thereby improving livelihoods and economic resilience.”
Dr Tsanmani further noted that the ASPIRE project has contributed to reducing vulnerability among adolescent girls and young women through increased awareness of SGBV prevention, response mechanisms, and referral pathways.
Also speaking at the event, the National Project Manager of PLAN International Nigeria’s ASPIRE Project, Mohammed Murtala Bello, said the initiative was designed to tackle interconnected social and economic barriers affecting adolescent girls and young women.
He explained that the project adopts a multi-sectoral approach that combines SRHR awareness, psychosocial support, life skills training, gender equality advocacy, and economic empowerment programmes.
“To respond to these challenges, the project adopts an integrated approach that combines SRHR awareness, gender equality, mental health and psychosocial support, life skills, and economic empowerment,” Bello said.
He added that one of the key economic empowerment strategies under the project is the strengthening of VSLA groups and women-focused empowerment platforms.
According to him, the groups provide safe spaces where beneficiaries can learn savings culture, budgeting, marketing, entrepreneurship, business planning, and financial management.
“Through the VSLA approach, adolescent girls and young women have been supported to build knowledge and skills in budgeting, savings, marketing, financial management, entrepreneurship, business planning, and decision-making,” he added.
A traditional ruler, Dan Iyan Bauchi, Suleiman Ahmed Bashir, also commended PLAN International and Global Affairs Canada for supporting adolescent girls and young women with tools and opportunities that can help them become financially independent and employers of labour.
Some beneficiaries at the event expressed appreciation to PLAN International for the support, noting that the start-up kits would help them establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
