Amrah’s mission to empower women in IT, leadership in Niger State

In a society where gender roles are rigidly defined, Amrah Aliyu is on a mission to change the narrative for women in Niger State. Years of interaction with women and listening to their struggles have taught the 26-year-old that barriers to female empowerment extend beyond the lack of awareness but are deeply rooted in societal […]

In a society where gender roles are rigidly defined, Amrah Aliyu is on a mission to change the narrative for women in Niger State. Years of interaction with women and listening to their struggles have taught the 26-year-old that barriers to female empowerment extend beyond the lack of awareness but are deeply rooted in societal structures that sideline women.

Amrah’s journey into activism began at a radio station, where she hosted a programme that focused on educating women about their rights; ranging from menstrual health to political participation. It was this platform that gave Amrah the courage to champion female participation in information technology and politics, in the effort toward paving the way for the next generation of female leaders.

Through her foundation, the Salma Attah Foundation for Women and Girl Support, she is determined to bridge the gender gap and has launched the Girl Code Boot Camp, an annual training programme that focuses on equipping young girls with tech skills such as data analytics, graphic design, and pitching tech-based solutions.

“In the last four years, we have trained 120 girls, spread across groups consisting of 25 to 30 participants. The initiative, which has primarily served Niger State, is now expanding its reach nationally,” she said.

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Beyond ICT training for young girls, Amrah is also focused on increasing women’s political participation as well as on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, ensuring that young girls have access to sanitary pads and proper healthcare.

Through one of her flagship programmes designed to train young women on policy and governance, participants undergo leadership training, team-building exercises and an immersive experience at the Niger State House of Assembly. Here they observe plenary sessions and learn the intricacies of legislative processes.

She told Weekend Trust that the urgency of her mission is underscored by the underrepresentation of women in politics. Since 1999, only eight women have been elected into the 27-member House of Assembly in Niger State with only one woman occupying a seat in the current assembly.

This marginal representation worries Amrah, who says the concerns of women often go unaddressed in policy discussions and therefore believes that increased female representation in governance will lead to the enactment of policies that genuinely reflect women’s interests.

Aisha Idris Manarakis is one among many young women who acquired IT skills from one of Amrah’s training programmes. She is from the Kpakungu community, in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State.

“The experience I gained has been invaluable, as it has helped me contribute positively to my community because I am an active crusader in the preservation of the Nupe culture,” she said.

Aisha explained that the programmes are not only educational but also empower young girls like her by creating a platform for them to learn leadership skills and understand the importance of their roles in society. “They advocate for girl child rights by lending a voice to protect their rights and improving their welfare,” she explained.

Also attesting to the impact of Amirah’s initiative, Maryam Ango, a student of Mass Communication at the IBB University, Lapai, said the leadership training helped her develop confidence as a young woman to challenge issues that undermine the progress of women in her community.

But there have been challenges for Amrah. She has had to deal with threats when addressing cases of gender-based violence, forcing her to take precautions such as covering her face in public and restricting her movements at night.

But despite these obstacles, she remains undeterred, driven by the conviction that women deserve equal opportunities to lead and thrive.

“In the cause of helping girls solve their problems, especially when it involves men, I have been threatened several times. I have received calls and messages from people telling me to stay out of issues I wanted to resolve. At first, I was scared, but eventually, I developed courage.”

Like challenges facing women in politics across Nigeria, Amrah says the lack of financial support remains one of the greatest barriers to women’s political participation in Niger State.

“Those who dare to step forward are often subjected to name-calling and societal ridicule. Even for the relatively minor role of women leaders within political parties, female candidates have been so discouraged that men have been appointed to fill the positions instead,” she said.

To address this, Amrah’s foundation is now working on initiatives to provide financial support to aspiring female politicians as well as sensitise men in communities, to support women who occupy political positions.

“After the ongoing capacity building, our next project is to see how we are going to attract funds for women who are interested in running for these positions,” she said.

Another challenge, according to her, is the timing of political meetings, which are often held at night. This, she said, makes it difficult for women, especially those with families, to participate. She says these structural barriers ensure that politics remains a male-dominated space. Amrah’s work seeks to dismantle these norms little by little by equipping women with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to claim their place in leadership.

“What triggered my activism are the gaps that exist in society,” she said. “The women are left behind. We can say that young people are generally left behind but when we talk of women, the problem is double. So, there is a gap.”

But Amrah’s efforts have already begun to yield results. Thanks to her advocacy and capacity-building programmes, more women in her community are stepping forward to take on leadership roles.

“So far, we have had some women appointed as women leaders after our sensitization and capacity building.” This, she said, was changing the tide where men held such positions in some wards of Niger State because the women were afraid or nonchalant about the roles. 

As Amrah Aliyu continues her work, she remains steadfast in her belief that the fight for gender equality is far from over. She is certain that her initiatives will make an impact as she strives to break the cycle of gender-based disadvantages that begin from an early age and persist into adulthood.

Her vision extends beyond Niger State, as she aims to take her advocacy to a national and even global level. “By training young women in ICT, equipping them with leadership skills, and pushing for their inclusion in governance,” she says she would not only be changing lives but reshaping the future of women in Nigeria.

Her story is one of resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to women’s emancipation in the face of threats, criticisms and deeply entrenched societal norms.