Project profile — Women’s Voice and Leadership - Nigeria

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved institutional capacity of local women’s and girls’ rights organizations (WROs) to set their agendas and manage the delivery of their programs in Nigeria; (2) improved effectiveness of WROs to deliver programs and advocate for women’s rights, including through innovative approaches; and (3) increased effectiveness of local women’s rights platforms, movements and networks to influence policy, legislation, social beliefs and practices in favour of gender equality and innovative approaches in Nigeria.

Results achieved as of March 2022 include: (1) provided over CAD 4.1 million in direct funding to over 147 women’s rights organizations across Nigeria in the form of responsive funds, multi-year grants, innovation funds, COVID-response, and research grants. Local women’s rights organizations have used over CAD 118,000 in rapid response funding to address urgent challenges or opportunities for women’s rights; (2) With the project’s support, training, and funding, 85% of women’s rights organizations reported a greater reach of their program. Also, 90% of women beneficiaries surveyed reported that they would 100% recommend the program to others based on their satisfaction; and (3) Women’s rights organizations supported through the project have influenced 29 policies, laws, frameworks or other government plans. These other government plans include the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in 12 states and the Nigerian government’s reconsideration of legislation that would increase women’s political representation.