Foundation Empowers Kaduna Women with Disabilities to Start Businesses

The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), in collaboration with Global Peace Women, provided financial support to 50 women with disabilities in Kaduna State on Tuesday. The cash assistance aims to help these women start small businesses and move away from street begging.

At the event held at Arewa House in Kaduna, the Country Director of GPFN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, spoke to journalists. He emphasized that the foundation, has been actively engaging women in peacebuilding efforts.

Rev. Hayab noted that poverty is a significant obstacle to achieving peace. “We have also been working with people with disabilities, who are often among the most vulnerable during violent situations. Those with sight or mobility can escape danger, but people with disabilities are often left with no way to protect themselves—it’s only by God’s grace they survive,” he said.

Through their work, the foundation identified a large number of women with disabilities, many of whom are mothers. “Some are blind, some are physically impaired, others are deaf or mute, yet they are still raising children. Without support, these women face immense challenges. Empowering them not only helps the women but also strengthens their ability to care for their children,” Rev. Hayab explained.

He further stressed that empowering women with disabilities can help reduce the exploitation and abuse they face. “Instead of simply condemning their circumstances, we chose to act. We believe that by providing them with opportunities, we can help lift them out of poverty and change their lives for the better.”

Rev. Hayab called on kind-hearted Nigerians to join in supporting women with disabilities, noting that empowering these women could significantly reduce street begging. “We’re not just giving them money; we are also providing training to help them see new opportunities and ways to improve their lives,” he added.

Two of the beneficiaries, Suzie David from the Television community and Dorcas Maikarfi, expressed their gratitude to GPFN for the support and vowed to make the best use of the funds.

In their remarks, Mrs. Hayab and Elizabeth David Hassan reminded the women that “there is ability in disability” and urged them to conduct their businesses with integrity while promoting peace and good neighborliness.