Empowerment Seminars
EWEI’s exceptional Empowerment Seminars are designed to enlighten girls and women on topical issues. So far such seminars have cumulatively benefitted 161 girls and 101 adults from 2008 to May 2014. EWEI empowerment seminars have also held quarterly since 2011 for beneficiaries of ESP helping to pass on leadership, communication, life and income generating skills to beneficiaries.
EWEI’s Empowerment Seminars feature talks and interactive sessions between participants and resource persons providing avenues for discussions on topical issues and remain a vital resource for information dissemination to marginalized groups. These seminars are aimed at leading the participants through a process of self discovery, to take stock of their visions and dreams for the future as well as develop their current skills, talents and inclinations. They are also used to pass on both life and income generating skills that can be used to support the beneficiaries economically and socially.
Some of the specific goals on empowerment seminars include:
- Developing participants’ leadership skills
- Participants more informed about career choices
- Definite goals towards self-improvement set
- Develop social entrepreneurship skills in young women
Empowerment seminars are usually tailored to meet the design of any of our other informational initiatives for example Getting Involved (MDGs and PRSP enlightenment), Know and Say No (Elimination of violence against women), CEPWOP (Civic Education and Participation for Women Project).
Empowerment Seminars are also used to pass on vital information on reproductive health, political, economic and social issues and topics.
These seminars are usually taken to “where the beneficiaries are” i.e. schools, community halls etc and are absolutely free for participants. Educational Subsidy Programme beneficiaries are primary participants of EWEI’s Empowerment Seminars.
Contact us to support our Empowerment Seminars or if you would like to attend one of our Empowerment Seminars. More information on all EWEI Empowerment Seminars can be found below.
| Date | Venue | Activities | Participants |
| 4th July 2008 | Prince Schools, Narayi, High Cost, Kaduna | The seminar featured talks by Dr. Solomon Tarfa (HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention), Mrs. Mercy Tarfa (represented by Engr. Ambrose Olalehin- Making Early Wise choices), Engr. Daisi Oke (Excelling in your chosen career), and Mrs. Vicki Gani (represented by Safiya Ibn Garba – Your role in Government).The seminar was graced by the prescence of the Honourable Commissioner, Non-Governmental Organisations and Student Affairs Hon. Alh. Yusuf Makarfi and the Special Adviser to His Excellency Gov. Namadi Sambo on NGOs, Mr. Peter Lekwot | Attendance of 82 female students age range of 8- 20, 7 teachers, 3 members of the press, 3 facilitators and 8 special guests and invitees. |
| 17th of September 2008 | Beijing International School, 12 Salim Crescent off Malle Street, Kawo New Extension, Kaduna | Making Early Wise Choices : Facilitated by EWEI Program Director, Safiya Ibn Garba,HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention: Facilitated by Ms. Alaba Aluko, a HIV Counsellor with International Centre for AIDS Treatment and Care Program (ICAP) and deployed to Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital Kaduna who is HIV Positive herself. Excelling in Your chosen Career: Facilitated by Engr. Samson Olayinka Olajide, Chief Executive Officer, Sonite Communications Your role in Governance Featuring the Millennium Development Goals: Jointly facilitated by Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), Nasrul-Lahi-l-Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Living Faith Foundation (LFF) and Nigerian Airforce Youth Awareness Forum (NAYAF) each organization spoke about one of the MDGs. At the end of each of the lectures, the participants were able to ask questions and clarify unclear areas. | 17 Students with age range of 8-14 years old.17 adults of various professions including 5 members of the press. Age range of 27 to 50 years. |
| 6th November 2010 | ABANTU for Development,Y A Ahmed Building, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna | An overview of ESP was discussed and participants shared their experiences and the benefits of the program to them and their families. Safiya Ibn Garba Programe Director then engaged them in an activity for Goal setting. Career Talk was facilitated by Barr. Katherine Ishu who advocated the need for setting career goals and how to ensure one makes the best of their chosen careers. The girls also played a value game where they learnt more about the importance of integrity.The PD presented writing materials donated by Ms Judy Kent from Canada, to the ESP beneficiaries. | 14 participants including 6 ESP beneficiaries, 1 resource person, 1 CEPWOP delegate, 3 E.W.E.I staff and 3 chaperons. |
| 12th March 2011 | ABANTU for Development,Y A Ahmed Building, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna | From a review of their goal setting exercise which started at the last empowerment seminar, the participants played a word game session where they sought out words in a word search while learning the meanings of the words, a down to earth discussion on challenges of adolescence, the statue game, a short session on optical illusions to help them develop interest in the sciences and a map of Nigeria jigsaw game.All of the activities were to help improve their observation and public skills, teamwork and help girls develop interest in sciences. | The meeting was attended by 6 ESP beneficiaries, age range 15-17, 3 adolescent girls from YOWE(Youth, Orphans and Widow Empowerment) aged 13-17 and 4 participants from Women with disability self reliance centre Kaduna age range 15- 29. Two of the participants were visually impaired and one hearing impaired.With 4 chaperons to help facilitate the process including the co-coordinator of women with disability self reliance centre, Riskat Muhammad, 2 staff from KASSES and NASEPHA (who helped facilitate the seminar in sign language for the hearing impaired), one from YOWE and four EWEI staff, the girls took part in various activities. |
| 30th July 2011 | ABANTU for Development,Y A Ahmed Building, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna | The meeting kicked off at 11.00am with a review of the ESP with five beneficiaries present, three guardians and one teacher.The first session was facilitated by EWEI Programme Director Safiya Ibn Garba, She gave a brief narrative about the progress of the ESP and how the project has progressed since it took off. She talked about the challenges EWEI has faced in its implementation and also extended the sympathies of EWEI at the death of the father of one of the beneficiaries, Jemilat Abdulkareem. The second segment was facilitated by Ms. Elizabeth Anche, a broadcaster, producer and presenter at the Kaduna State Media Corporation.
She steered the Bring Back the Book (BBTB) segment where participants were taught about communication, reading and pronunciation. This segment was a highly interactive session where participants got to express their views on different topics as well as a practical reading session. The basic computing segment was facilitated by Mr. Ade Balogun an IT consultant who took the participants through the basics of computing, identifying computer parts and accessories and what each part was used for. |
17 participants ( 5 ESP beneficiaries and 1 from Youth and Widows Empowerment YOWE), 2 facilitators, 2 teachers, 3 guardians, 4 EWEI staff and 1 ABANTU staff attended the Empowerment Seminar. |
| 28th January 2012 | ABANTU for Development, Y A Ahmed Building, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna | An overview of ESP was discussed and participants shared their experiences and the benefits of the program to them and their families. Mavis Orjime Programme Officer Administration and Logistics then engaged them with a talk on Volunteerism and the importance of leading in a community. | 6 participants including 4 ESP beneficiaries, 1 resource person and 1 EWEI staff |
| 19th May 2012 | EWEI Offices 23a Dan Buran Road, Malali G.R.A Kaduna | The program started with a welcome address by the Program Officer, Administration and Logistics, Mavis Orjime, who appreciated all for coming.She then gave a review of the ESP journey so far and apologized to the beneficiaries for the lateness in paying this term’s school fees. The objectives of the ESP project were revisited and Mavis reiterated that it was the organization’s desire to see impact made before the first set of beneficiaries left the school. In order to enhance sustainable and effective mentoring, the resource person, Ms.Christy Arams would be the mentor and resource person for the project, till the first set of beneficiaries graduate. The Resource Person, Charity Arams then facilitated a presentation on life skills titled ‘Values’.After the presentation, the girls were given an exercise to write on an important decision they wanted to make in their life. Their write ups will be assessed and discussed in the next seminar. In the last seminar, the girls had been given assignments to design a project they wanted to implement in their school or communities. Each beneficiary presented the work done so far and it was discussed in details. Ideas and suggestions were given to them on how best to design the projects. At the end of the discussion, one project was approved to be carried out by all the beneficiaries. This project is to be a sanitation project and launching of “hand washing” in their respective schools. The girls are to engage with their teachers and school management on how they can launch a project that promotes health and sanitation. The “World Environment Day”, 5th June was chosen as the day for launching the projects in the different schools. On that day, the girls will make presentations on their assembly grounds on the importance of hygiene and washing of hands. They will also coordinate other students to voluntarily clean their school environment. EWEI will help in mentoring and engaging the school managements. The organization will provide antiseptics, soap, and hand washing bowls.
The ESP beneficiaries will pioneer the projects. Only two schools will however be engaged namely GGSS Senior Doka and GGSS Independence way Senior as beneficiaries from other schools were not present and each of the above schools have 2 beneficiaries each. |
9 participants including 4 ESP beneficiaries, 1 resource person, 2 Volunteers and 2 EWEI staff. |
| 22nd September 2012 | ABANTU for Development, Y A Ahmed Building, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna | The Seminar started with the opening prayer led by a student, Alifa, after which introductions were made by all present.EWEI Program Officer, Administration and Logistics, Ms Mavis Orjime welcomed all participants giving an overview of the Educational Subsidy Program. She then reviewed the school projects carried out by the girls in the previous term and praised their efforts, saying EWEI is very proud of them. She also asked about the impact the hand washing campaign had made in their schools. The girls confirmed that hand washing had improved and the school authorities have ensured the continuous washing of the school toilets after they took the initiative to wash them.
EWEI Mentor, Christy Arams then facilitated a presentation on life skills titled “Self Esteem”. She stated that every human being is unique in their own way and led participants in coming up with an acceptable definition of what self esteem is. Assignments were given to the girls to be submitted in a week’s time. Joy Anthony, Programmer Officer Media and Publicity EWEI taught the girls practically the skill of making Ginger drink which is a first aid drink for sore throats and cold. |
14 participants including 10 ESP beneficiaries, 1 staff of ABANTU, 1 EWEI volunteer and 2 EWEI staff. |
| 19th January 2013 | EWEI Offices 23a Dan Buran Road, Malali G.R.A Kaduna | EWEI organized an Empowerment Seminar for her ESP Beneficiaries on 19 January, 2013. The programme started at 10:30am with the opening prayer led by Bilkisu Gwabin, introductions was made while the welcome note and Review of ESP was taken by EWEI’s Programme Officer Administration and Logistics, Mavis Orjime.Christiana Arams facilitated the Life skills session with the topic “Goal Setting”.
The girls were taught how they can achieve their goals; whether it is a long term goal or short term goal. The girls then took part in group work on the Importance of goal setting and Obstacles to goal setting. The girls were also given assignments to take home and submit before the next ESP Empowerment Seminar in May 2013. The Skills acquisition session was conducted by Joy Anthony Programme Officer Media and Publicty EWEI; the girls were taught how to make petroleum jelly and hair cream to help them generate income. The closing remarks was taken by Mavis Orjime, she thanked the girls for coming and encouraged them to continue to work hard in school particularly with the for the S.S.C.E examinations coming up. |
9 participants (5 ESP Beneficiaries, 3 Staff and 1 Resource person) were present at the ESP Empowerment Seminar |
| 18 May, 2013 | EWEI Offices 23a Dan Buran Road, Malali G.R.A Kaduna | The programme started at 10:00am with the opening prayer led by Bilkisu Gwabin, introductions was made while the welcome note was done by EWEI’s Assistant Programme Officer Media and Publicity Ohis S. Amu, he thanked everyone for coming and assured everyone present that the seminar will be an interesting one . ESP benefits and impacts was facilitated by Joy Anthony EWEI’s Programme Officer Media and Publicity, she gave details of the seminar from 2012 till date and the benefits of the girls participating in the ESP include ability to make decisions to ensure their voice are heard. Ms. Christiana Arams the Mentor of the girls then facilitated a presentation on Sexual Transmitted Infection. Definitions, types, Symptoms, Consequences and prevention of STI was taught extensively, she emphasis that abstinence is the best way of preventing STI and advised the girls to report any signs in their body or abnormal discharge to the doctor.Joy Anthony demonstrated to the girls how to make Liquid soap using Antisol, Soda Ash, and Caustic Soda. She advised the girls to use this as a means of generating funds for themselves and boost their economic empowerment. | 9 participants including 2 EWEI staff, 5 ESP beneficiaries, 1 ESP mentor and, a teaching staff from Federal Government College were in attendance. It is noteworthy that by May 2013, some graduating ESP beneficiaries were in the process of being engaged as volunteers with EWEI. |
| 28th September 2013 | EWEI Offices 23a Dan Buran Road, Malali G.R.A Kaduna | The Seminar started with the opening prayer led by Bilkisu Gwabin, after which introductions were made by all people present. EWEI Volunteer Intern Jemilat Abdulkareem welcomed all participants while fellow Volunteer Intern Bilkisu Ali Gwabin gave an overview of the ESP.ESP Mentor, Christiana Arams then facilitated a presentation on life skills titled “Assertiveness”. She stated that everyone has the right to say what he or she feels even if others are not in agreement with it and also has the right to accept or reject others’ requests. She added that it is important to stand on our rights in a respectful manner and then gave an assignment to the girls to be submitted in a week. All the participants moved to Bezaleel Bags, Wears and Fittings for the skills acquisition section of the seminar. We learnt bag and purse making facilitated by Mrs. Taiwo A Idowu. She showed us different kinds of bags like handbags, shopping, and men’s clipper bags etc and ways of making them. Each of the girls was presented with a purse and the men a clipper bag each. | 9 participants ( 5 beneficiaries, 2 EWEI staff, 1 resource person and 1 volunteer) attended the event |
| 25th January 2014 | EWEI Offices 23a Dan Buran Road, Malali G.R.A Kaduna | The programme started at 11:00am with the opening prayer led by Bilkisu Suleiman, ESP beneficiary, introductions were made by everyone while the welcome note and review of ESP was taken by Ohis Amu. Joy Anthony gave the opening remarks and encouraged the girls to contribute meaningfully and discuss during the life skills session which she promised would be interesting.Barrister Zainab Atta facilitated the Life skills session with a topic “Gender and Gender Roles” where the girls were taught about some of the gender roles within communities, factors that can influence gender roles, gender bias and discrimination and effect of stereotyping . Group work was given to the girls with the following questions: Is it necessary to change stereotypes? If yes/no why? and How can we correct stereotypes? In two groups, work for 10 minutes and come up with a 5 minute presentation of your ideas on how to address gender stereotypes. The skills acquisition session was conducted by Joy Anthony where the girls were taught how to make bar soap to help them generate income while in school.
Some testimonials from the Empowerment Seminar:
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The seminar was attended by 8 participants including 5 ESP beneficiaries, 1 Resource person and 2 EWEI staff. |
| 24 May 28 2014 | EWEI Offices 23a Dan Buran Road, Malali G.R.A Kaduna | An overview of ESP was discussed and participants shared their experiences and the benefits of the program to them and their families. Ms Joy Anthony POAL welcomed the girls to the second empowerment seminar in 2014 while Mr Ohis S. Amu the APOMP gave the ESP review. ESP Mentor facilitated the life skills segment on “Finding Help.” The income generating skills segment was taken by Ms Peace Timothy who taught the participants how to make yoghurt. | 14 participants (7 beneficiaries, 3 resource persons, 1 EWEI volunteer staff and 3 EWEI staff) attended the Empowerment Seminar. |
