Stakeholders push economic empowerment as solution to rising GBV cases in Kano

A growing push to curb gender-based violence (GBV) in northern Nigeria is placing women’s economic empowerment at the centre of intervention strategies, as development actors intensify efforts to reduce vulnerability linked to financial dependence.

This shift was underscored in Kano where the Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria, organised the capstone showcase of its Women Against Violence Empowered Through Sustainability (WAVES II) project.

The event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society groups, and beneficiaries to highlight outcomes of the initiative, which combines economic empowerment with advocacy against GBV.

Designed as a preventive model, the WAVES II project integrates climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, and financial literacy training to equip vulnerable women and girls with income-generating skills. The approach targets economic dependence, widely identified as a key factor trapping victims in abusive environments.

No fewer than 50 women and girls in Kano State benefitted directly from hands-on training, mentorship, and enterprise support under the programme. Participants developed agribusiness ventures, improved financial management capacity, and built networks to strengthen their economic resilience.

A key innovation of the project is its focus on circular economy practices, enabling beneficiaries to convert agricultural waste into marketable products, thereby boosting income while promoting environmental sustainability.

At the showcase, participants exhibited agricultural produce, processed goods, and other value-added products developed during the training. Many shared personal stories of transformation, citing increased income, improved confidence, and stronger roles in household decision-making.

Speaking at the event, Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and People with Special Needs, Amina Abdullahi, said the state government has continued to prioritise women’s economic independence as a strategy to address GBV.

She revealed that about 5,200 women are currently receiving monthly grants of ₦50,000 to support their businesses and reduce economic vulnerability, particularly in homes where dependence often heightens exposure to abuse.

According to her, an additional 400 GBV survivors have also been supported with ₦50,000 each to start small-scale enterprises, enabling them to rebuild their lives and overcome stigma.

Abdullahi emphasised that such interventions align with the state’s development agenda and highlighted the importance of partnerships with non-governmental organisations to deepen impact.

“Empowerment for women is not just for women; it is empowerment for humanity,” she said, stressing that GBV remains a violation of fundamental human rights that disproportionately affects women.

In a keynote presentation, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies Bayero University Kano, Safiya Nuhu, identified economic hardship as a major driver of GBV in many communities.

She cited findings from recent research indicating that food insecurity, poverty, and spousal abandonment significantly contribute to rising cases of abuse, with some women facing neglect during critical periods such as childbirth.

The event featured panel discussions, documentary screenings, cultural performances, and stakeholder engagement sessions aimed at strengthening advocacy and expanding support networks for women.

Organisers said the showcase was designed not only to celebrate beneficiaries but also to connect them with potential partners, investors, and markets to ensure sustainability of their enterprises.

Stakeholders at the forum agreed that scaling up women-focused economic initiatives remains critical to breaking the cycle of violence, reducing inequality, and promoting inclusive development across northern Nigeria