French Embassy, RACE Center, GERI Empower IDP Women in Conflict-Affected Benue Communities with Skills

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Center for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE Center), in partnership with the Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI) and with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria, has equipped 50 women from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and host communities in Benue State with vocational skills to boost their economic resilience.

The initiative, implemented under the “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment/Resilient Project (POWER),” also known as Tahav in Tiv, is designed to enhance the economic independence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors and other vulnerable women in conflict-affected communities.

Speaking at a Women Empowerment Dialogue in Makurdi, the Executive Director of RACE Center, Evelyn Ugbe, disclosed that the 50 beneficiaries have already undergone training in tailoring, hairdressing, bag-making, soap-making, baking, and other skills, and have begun producing items for sale.

She explained that the event’s theme, “Building Resilience & Advancing Economic Opportunities for Women in Conflict-Affected Communities,” emphasizes long-term empowerment and resilience for women who have borne the brunt of conflict and displacement.

Ugbe described the Women Empowerment Dialogue as a platform under the POWER project purposely created to address livelihood challenges, promote women’s economic empowerment, and build resilience. She expressed appreciation to GERI, the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), and the Embassy of France in Nigeria for their technical and financial support, which she said not only funded the initiative but also strengthened organizational systems.

Acknowledging key participants, Ugbe mentioned Pierre Bonnel, Program Officer at the French Embassy in Nigeria; Christy Asala and Andrew Ochu-Baiye of the Cognito Project, who joined virtually; as well as several dignitaries present physically, including members of the Benue State House of Assembly, government officials, humanitarian partners, financial institutions, and civil society leaders.

“Our mission today is simple,” Ugbe stated, “to explore innovative and sustainable strategies that empower women economically, align with the State IDP Policy and Durable Solutions Action Plan, and create opportunities for stakeholder networking. This must not be another talkshop but should lead to actionable recommendations.”

She further described the women beneficiaries as “our Sheros,” urging stakeholders to provide sustained financial assistance to help them achieve self-sufficiency and dignity.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of GERI, Mrs. Elizabeth Jeiyol, commended the women for their commitment and lauded the French Embassy for its support.

The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Women Affairs and Benue State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, stressed that women’s empowerment directly contributes to peacebuilding, social cohesion, community resilience, and overall development. She called for collaborative efforts among government, civil society, NGOs, and the private sector to deliver transformative solutions that uplift women and girls.

Similarly, the Director General of BICD, Dr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, represented by Beauty Adaaku, emphasized that sustainable peace and recovery require women’s full and equal participation in leadership, economic inclusion, and social empowerment. He assured that the state government, in collaboration with partners, would expand opportunities for women to thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders.

Some beneficiaries, including Martina Atom, Terwase Precious, and Grace Ogbe, shared testimonies of how the training had changed their lives. They expressed gratitude to RACE Center, GERI, and the French Embassy, while urging the state government to sustain the program.

The event also featured an exhibition of products made by the women, including bags, liquid soap, and other items, which participants inspected and purchased in support of the new entrepreneurs.