The Zamfara State Government has commended the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for empowering more than 90 women in Gusau and Bungudu Local Government Areas with business start-up kits aimed at improving family livelihoods, promoting self-reliance, psychosocial wellbeing and strengthening peacebuilding efforts across communities. A statement signed on Thursday evening by Suleiman Aliyu Information Officer Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zamfara State said the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Aisha M. Z. Anka, made the commendation during the distribution of the start-up kits held on Thursday at the Skills Acquisition Centre in Gusau. “Represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Hajara Sani Abubakar, the Commissioner said the initiative aligns with the vision of the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal to empower women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups to become economically self-reliant. “Dr. Anka described women as critical agents of peacebuilding and community development, noting that the majority of the beneficiaries were women. “What we have witnessed today gives women renewed hope to become active contributors to the economy. This intervention will improve livelihoods and strengthen peace at the grassroots,” she said. “She commended IOM for its sustained support to the Zamfara State Government in advancing women’s economic empowerment and improving the living conditions of vulnerable households. The Commissioner also urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the equipment to expand their businesses, improve their incomes, and support the welfare of their families. Earlier, the IOM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Protection Team Leader said the intervention reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Zamfara State Government’s efforts to address the root causes of conflict through poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood programmes. The team leaders noted that empowering women economically would strengthen families, reduce school dropout rates among children, and help tackle other social challenges that hinder community development. He explained that the beneficiaries received the start-up kits free of charge after successfully completing a two-day entrepreneurship, mental health and psychosocial support training designed to equip them with practical business management skills and promote mental wellbeing. “We are not giving you these start-up kits to sell. We are giving them to you to become self-employed and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of your communities,” he said. In separate remarks, district heads from the benefiting communities described the intervention as timely and impactful, expressing appreciation to IOM for prioritising women and vulnerable households in its livelihood support programme. Items distributed included grinding machines, sewing machines, sacks of groundnuts for kulikuli production, knitting machines and other essential business equipment provided to beneficiaries drawn from four wards in Gusau and Bungudu Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
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