The Zamfara State Government has trained 120 women in digital literacy to boost their economic prospects and promote self-reliance.
Commissioner for Women, Children, and Social Development, Dr. A’isha MZ Anka, disclosed this while receiving a donation of menstrual hygiene items from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Gusau.
Speaking through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Suwaiba Ibrahim, Dr. Anka explained that the participants were carefully selected from all 14 local government areas of the state.
According to her, the training was designed to empower the women to become self-employed and, in turn, create jobs for others, thereby reducing unemployment in the state.
She said the programme was implemented in partnership with the Zamfara Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“We trained and equipped them with digital literacy skills, provided each participant with an Android device, a certificate, and a ₦100,000 start-up grant,” Dr. Anka said.
She highlighted that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal has introduced various initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of women and vulnerable groups in the state.
Dr. Anka also commended Zamfara’s First Lady, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, for her commitment to launching programmes that have had a positive socio-economic impact on women and children.
In his remarks, UNFPA Officer-in-Charge of the Kaduna Sub-Office, Audu Alayande, said the agency’s visit was to strengthen collaboration with the state in addressing menstrual hygiene challenges.
He added that UNFPA was also supporting efforts to tackle gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, and women’s economic empowerment.
Alayande announced that UNFPA had donated menstrual products to the ministry for distribution to vulnerable women, particularly those in rural and crisis-affected areas.
He also pledged the agency’s readiness to partner with relevant stakeholders to train women in basic skills that would boost their daily income.
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