The Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth with Disabilities (HIFWYD), with support from the Urgent Action Fund Africa, has trained more than 50 women and girls with disabilities in Ebonyi State on entrepreneurship, financial management, gender-based violence (GBV), and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The programme, implemented in Ezillo Community in Ishielu Local Government Area and Ukwagba-Ngbo Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, also provided psychosocial support to survivors of trauma. In addition, 20 beneficiaries received seed grants to establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking during the empowerment programme in Ukwagba-Ngbo, HIFWYD Project Lead, Oluchi Esther Nwite, said women and girls with disabilities are often the most affected during communal conflicts and other humanitarian crises. She explained that the initiative was designed to promote their economic independence while ensuring they are not excluded from peacebuilding, reintegration, and development efforts.
Nwite noted that the beneficiaries were trained in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, resource management, and recognising different forms of gender-based violence. She added that the foundation also strengthened the capacity of community leaders, vigilante groups, and local justice structures to improve reporting and response to GBV cases. According to her, HIFWYD has also commissioned an accessibility audit in the two communities to identify barriers faced by persons with disabilities and recommend measures for improved inclusion.
The President-General of Ukwagba Community, Comrade Godwin Awoke, commended HIFWYD and its partners for bringing the intervention to the community. He urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the seed grants, describing persons with disabilities as an important part of the community whose welfare deserves greater attention.
Also speaking, Deputy Coordinator of the Ebonyi State GBV Taskforce, Rev. Mrs. Flora Egwu, and Social Welfare Officer of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Miss Ebubechukwu Nwokwu, advised beneficiaries to invest the grants in sustainable businesses rather than spending them on immediate needs. Egwu also warned against relatives or spouses taking possession of the grants, noting that such acts constitute economic violence punishable under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
Beneficiaries Gloria Agbo and Chinyere Egede expressed appreciation to HIFWYD and pledged to use the grants to improve their economic well-being. The event also featured a drama presentation by the Ebonyi State Council for Arts and Culture on the importance of prudent use of empowerment funds.
As part of the programme, HIFWYD partnered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and participating banks to facilitate National Identification Number (NIN) registration and bank account opening for beneficiaries. The foundation said it remains committed to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and currently operates in about six states across Nigeria.
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