“Project on Activation of Women Development Centers (WDCs) to Improve Women’s Livelihood” (WDC Activation Project)

In Nigeria, women’s empowerment is crucial to mitigate poverty at grass-roots level since women play an essential role for welfare within a household as well as community. One government report says that the role of Nigerian women in household is various for example: engaging in (i) income generation activities and (ii) household activities such as fetching water & firewood and taking care of basic education and health issues of family members. However, these are not fully realized because of various limitations surrounding women such as limited participation in decision making in the household, and the limited access to ownership, credit facilities and resources.

Against these situations, National Communication of Women Development (NCWD) and JICA consider that a key player is WDCs, and decide to launch a project for activation of WDCs. In Nigeria, WDCs were established throughout the country during 1980’s and 1990’s for the purpose of empowering grass-roots women through the vocational training and basic literacy education. WDCs had contributed to improve women’s capacities at that time. However, most of WDCs are nowadays deserted, or are not in good condition. Each Local Government Area (LGA) has at least one WDC, which means that more than 774 WDCs exist in Nigeria. This is a big resource for women’s empowerment if utilized properly.

To develop a guideline for activating WDCs based on the experiences of the pilot project in Kano State, with a view to contribute to women’s empowerment in Nigeria.

NCWD is now drafting a guideline for activating WDCs, based on the communiqué, which was adopted by the National Council on Women Affairs in November 2006 which spelled out that NCWD has a role to develop a guideline for the activation of the WDCs nationwide. The Project is in line with NCWD’s efforts of implementing the communiqué.

More specifically, if a woman is always sick (physical aspect), she cannot participate in economic activities (economic aspect). Or, if a woman is not confident enough to utilize her skills (mental aspect), she won’t start her business even though she acquired skills. Or if a woman doesn’t participate in decision-making in the household (political aspect), she may not have control over what she earns. See the following voice of women:

“I would like to acquire skills of sewing, so that I can teach sewing to other women who have difficulties to join WDC.’ (Woman in Gaya, Kano) “Since my wife joined WDC, she has improved her daily household activities such as cleaning, taking care of children, and cooking.” (Man in Gwale, Kano) “I join WDC, because I want to be self-reliant, so that I can assist my husband, I can buy things for my children.” (Woman in Dambatta,Kano)

Since 2003, NCWD and JICA have been struggling for women’s empowerment through (i) sending a Japanese expert and (ii) conducting in a series of training courses in Japan. This Project is built on those achievements.