Economic recovery: Foundation empowers 5000 women in Lagos

In a bid to empower women through recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation has equipped 5000 women with relevant vocational skills and business training.

The grant, which was awarded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, represents efforts to continually make a difference in the lives of women who remain pillars of the society; by providing business-focused trainings with the purpose of enhancing business acumen and scaling up micro enterprises to guarantee sustenance for themselves and their families.

At a capacity building programme tagged Catalyst for Change, organised by the foundation with focus on five communities in Lagos state – Iwaya, Oworonshoki, Sangotedo, Magboro and Ogijo, about 1000 of these women will receive funding and support to set up their small-scale enterprises.

While business training modules will be delivered by experienced facilitators focused on personal and product branding, business foundations and basic accounting while artisanry trainings will cover courses in wig making, make-up, fashion and designing, household essentials and shoe making over the course of a five-month period beginning this August.

Founder of Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, Bukola Bamiduro, expressed her gratitude for the grant saying, “Poverty is the greatest threat to our existence as it fuels crime, despair and vices. The impact of COVID-19 has further escalated poverty in Nigeria and so we are delighted with this partnership and the execution of the program as these women will become catalysts in their communities, pulling their families out of poverty.”

Keynote Speaker and founder Donors for Africa, Mrs Chidi Koldsweat, observed that gender inequality is a mission we should all take seriously by empowering women, adding that women are always on the receiving end in the society.

“Increasing economic equality is not because women are the lesser folk but because they have every right to be valued. With the 5000 women initiative our women stand a better chance to be impacted thereby impacting their family and community.”

While Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe said, “This is yet another way through which our Company is passionately contributing to the recovery of our economy following this devastating pandemic. Our desire is to continue to economically uplift as many women as possible in Nigeria as we recognize their critical roles in society. We are confident that this new partnership will go a long way in supporting women and providing them a means of livelihood through the recovery phase.”