The International Budget Partnership (IBP) has engaged members of the Smallholder Women Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (SWOFON) in Niger State to strengthen women farmers’ voices in budget processes and also develop a charter of demands.
The event, which took place on Wednesday in Minna, drew 21 participants from across SWOFON’s active local government areas in the state towards upscaling the skills of delegates.
Delivering the message of the national executive of SWOFON during the engagement, the National Financial Secretary, Toyin Bosede-Anifowoshe, urged the participants to continue to push for advocacy so that their voices would be heard in relevant places.
She urged them to participate actively and utilise the knowledge when they return to their respective communities.
The state Coordinator of SWOFON, Grace Diza, appreciated members of the association for embracing the programme and for always believing in the leadership of the association.
She enjoined them to step down what they learnt to other members of the association in their respective communities.
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Ms. Diza urged them to embark on a membership drive in their various local government areas and to also engage people who would help push their demands to the appropriate authorities.
In his presentation, one of the facilitators who joined virtually from Lagos, Folahan Johnson, explained that the main purpose of the engagement meeting was to identify the needs of the smallholder women farmers and explore new ways of doing things.
Recalling the previous meetings, which centred on system change, Mr. Johnson said the event sought to build upon the previous meeting by putting into practice what was learnt.
Mr. Johnson stressed the need for the smallholder women farmers to articulate their needs to achieve desired goals and objectives.
He observed that to be able to get the attention of the government with their charter of demands, SWOFON members must strengthen themselves, get more women, particularly the younger ones, partner with other relevant women groups and organisations.
