By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has enrolled 40 women in a livelihood support programme aimed at boosting their economic independence, strengthening household resilience and helping them establish sustainable sources of income.
The women were formally onboarded during an orientation held at Eyah Hotel and Suites in Makurdi, Benue State, under the Bridging the Gaps in Women’s Health and Well-being (BtG) Project, implemented by GIFSEP and funded by the Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women and Girls, with technical support from CBM Global Nigeria.
The orientation marked the participants’ first direct engagement with the project team and provided an opportunity to familiarise them with the programme’s objectives, implementation timelines, available support and individual responsibilities.
Participants were introduced to the Graduation Approach, a structured, phased intervention designed to help economically vulnerable individuals transition towards sustainable livelihoods, greater resilience and financial independence.
Speaking at the event, GIFSEP Executive Director, Dr. Michael Terungwa David, explained that the Graduation Approach went beyond providing temporary financial assistance, describing it as a coordinated process that equips participants with the resources, skills and confidence needed to improve their economic circumstances.
He said the approach combines social protection with livelihood development, enabling beneficiaries to address immediate household needs while preparing to engage in productive economic activities.
According to him, easing immediate financial pressures would allow participants to concentrate on their chosen livelihood activities, make informed decisions and gradually establish more reliable sources of income.
Dr. David stressed that the programme’s success would depend on participants’ commitment, active involvement and responsible management of the support provided.
He noted that beneficiaries were expected to identify viable livelihood opportunities, plan effectively and make productive use of available resources, adding that sustainable progress involved not only increased income but also improved financial resilience, dignity, access to essential services and social inclusion.
He further disclosed that participants would receive conditional cash transfers over six months as part of the programme’s social protection component.
The transfers, he explained, were intended to stabilise household consumption, ease immediate financial pressures and enable participants to sustain their livelihood activities while working towards self-reliance.
The Project Manager, Dorcas Nicanor, presented an overview of the initiative, outlining participants’ roles, responsibilities and expectations throughout the implementation period.
She also highlighted beneficiaries’ rights, including the right to dignity, non-discrimination, confidentiality and access to relevant programme information.
A dedicated session on safeguarding and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention was facilitated by Dr. Beatrice Onoja, who educated participants on different forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, economic and technology-facilitated violence.
She encouraged the women to memorise emergency contact numbers, support one another and use the project’s feedback and safeguarding reporting channels to report abuse or other concerns.
One of the significant outcomes of the orientation emerged during the question-and-answer session, when some participants reconsidered and changed the livelihood options they had selected during the earlier verification exercise.
The changes followed a clearer understanding of the Graduation Approach and the practical requirements associated with their proposed economic activities, underscoring the importance of informed decisions that reflect beneficiaries’ interests, circumstances and available opportunities.
Through the BtG Project, GIFSEP and its partners are working to address barriers affecting women and girls by expanding access to livelihood opportunities, strengthening protection mechanisms and improving support systems that promote economic resilience and social inclusion.
The orientation ended on a celebratory note, with participants singing and dancing to mark the beginning of their journey towards stronger livelihoods, greater financial independence and more secure futures.
