FAWOYDI project promotes women’s leadership, intentional parenting in Bauchi

By Ahmed Ahmed

A women-focused development initiative in Bauchi State is seeking to strengthen female leadership and challenge harmful gender stereotypes by promoting intentional parenting and empowering mothers to nurture leadership qualities in their daughters.

The initiative, implemented by the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI), is part of the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by ActionAid Nigeria.

Speaking on the project, the Programme Officer, Madam P. Yanga, said the intervention recognises motherhood as a critical driver of social transformation and seeks to equip women with the knowledge and skills required to raise confident and future-oriented girls.

Yanga explained that one of the project’s distinctive features is its emphasis on helping mothers identify, encourage and develop leadership potential in their daughters from an early age.

According to her, sustainable social change begins within the family, stressing that parents, particularly mothers, play a crucial role in shaping the aspirations and opportunities available to young girls.

“For sustainable change, we must begin from the home. We want mothers to understand how gender stereotypes affect children and how they can support the leadership aspirations of young girls instead of suppressing them,” she said.

She added that the project would also provide mentorship opportunities and capacity-building programmes for young women and emerging female leaders to boost their confidence and participation in decision-making processes and public life.

Yanga noted that some participants had raised concerns about ensuring that project activities remain consistent with local cultural and religious values.

She, however, assured stakeholders that all interventions would be implemented with due respect for community traditions and sensitivities.

According to her, community leaders, women’s associations, youth groups and security agencies have expressed support for the initiative, which is expected to run for four years in selected communities across Bauchi State.

The project aims to promote women’s leadership, strengthen community support structures and prepare a new generation of girls to take on leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to societal development.