‘How small grants helped Benue women rebuild businesses’

At least 150 women displaced by armed invasions in Benue State are restarting their lives following small grants that are helping them rebuild their businesses and restore their dignity. Our correspondent reports that the affected women had struggled to restart their lives after losing their homes, farms and sources of livelihood until help through an […]

At least 150 women displaced by armed invasions in Benue State are restarting their lives following small grants that are helping them rebuild their businesses and restore their dignity.

Our correspondent reports that the affected women had struggled to restart their lives after losing their homes, farms and sources of livelihood until help through an organisation reached them a few months ago.

The women shared their experiences during a town hall meeting with officials and beneficiaries of the livelihood restoration initiative, tagged Womenpowa, and being implemented by Spaces for Change (S4C) with support from the Open Society Foundation to strengthen safety and economic resilience in conflict-affected communities in Makurdi.

Today, these women drawn from hard-hit communities of Naka in Gwer West and Daudu in Guma Local Government Areas of the state, said the financial support received has given them the opportunity to start small businesses and provide for their families again after months of uncertainty in displacement.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Zipporah Bem, a mother of four, said the grant helped her reopen a small trading business that collapsed when her community came under attack.

“Before now, it was very difficult for us. We lost everything when we fled. With this N50,000 support, I have started selling again and can now take care of my children,” she said.

 

 

 

Another beneficiary, Monica Anche, explained that the programme has reduced the risks women previously faced while trying to survive, including going into unsafe areas to gather firewood or hawking without stable income.

 

 

 

Ukaa Saka and Zwa Dorathy, among many women also buttressed the fact that the grant has changed their lives and ameliorated their sufferings as they could fend for their families by engaging in small businesses.

 

 

 

Earlier, the Executive Director of S4C, Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, said the project was designed to address the economic hardship confronting displaced women and young people, stressing that rebuilding livelihoods remains essential to restoring safety in communities.

 

 

 

Programme Manager at the Open Society Foundation, Ms. Louise Ehlers, said the intervention aligns with the foundation’s broader work on security and rights in several countries, including Nigeria, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Kenya.

 

 

 

She noted that safety goes beyond physical protection to include social, political and economic stability, adding that empowering women economically remains critical for sustainable peace.

 

 

 

Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, the Head of Women Empowerment in the ministry, Ape Cheren, assured beneficiaries of government support for initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment.

 

 

 

Traditional ruler Ter Tyoshin, HRH Daniel Abomtse, said insecurity cannot be resolved by force alone and called for sustainable community-based solutions to protect vulnerable populations.

 

 

 

Vice President of the Community Alliance Against Displacement, Mrs. Olabisi Williams, said beneficiaries were also trained on basic safety measures, including moving in groups and using whistles to alert neighbours during attacks.

 

 

 

President of Lawyers Alert, Mr. Rommy Mom, emphasised the role women play in stabilising families and communities, noting that empowering them strengthens the entire society.

 

 

 

Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Mr. Victor Ormin, represented by the Council Secretary, Julius Iornyagh, commended the intervention and pledged the council’s support toward sustaining the programme.