BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Abuja
Women Community in Africa, in collaboration with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, has launched the Her Safety, Her Future (HSF 2) project aimed at strengthening women’s leadership, enhancing community protection mechanisms and promoting inclusive governance at the grassroots level in Karu, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The project was formally unveiled on Saturday at the Palace of the Sakaruyi of Karu, drawing 35 participants, including traditional rulers, youth and women representatives, partner organisations, community members and members of the media.
The initiative, organisers said, is designed to empower women and young people, particularly girls, to take active roles in leadership and community decision-making processes while fostering sustainable development within the community.
The programme commenced with interfaith prayers, followed by welcome remarks by the Chief Operating Officer of Beyond Mentors Community Care Initiative and SI Group, Dr. Maimoona Salim, who expressed appreciation to the Sakaruyi of Karu and Her Royal Highness, Queen Patricia Narai, for providing a platform for community engagement.
Dr. Salim emphasised that the project is anchored on sustainable growth and long-term transformation, noting that women and young people remain central to inclusive governance and community development.
She urged community members to embrace collaboration, continuous learning and the intentional transfer of positive societal values that strengthen leadership capacity across generations.
Also speaking, the Founder of Beyond Mentors Community Care Initiative and Women Community in Africa, Dr. Khadijah Abdullahi Iya, underscored the importance of knowledge as a foundation for leadership and development.
According to her, while material possessions may be lost, knowledge remains permanent and empowering.
“Knowledge equips individuals to make informed decisions, strengthens leadership capacity and has the power to protect and transform entire communities,” she said.
In her remarks, Her Royal Highness, Queen Patricia Narai, highlighted skill acquisition as a critical pathway to leadership, economic participation and community stability.
She expressed concern over the inability of many youths in the community to acquire practical skills, describing the situation as troubling and stressing the need for urgent interventions to promote inclusion and participatory governance.
The traditional leadership subsequently declared the project open, marking the formal commencement of HSF 2 activities in the area.
During a media briefing session, organisers outlined the project’s objectives, implementation strategy and expected impact on women’s leadership and governance structures at the grassroots. Journalists were encouraged to support advocacy, awareness creation and accountability efforts around the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Josephine Zakwoyi of the Dakachi Stakeholder Group commended the organisers for prioritising women at what she described as a critical time.
She lamented the repeated abandonment of women after unfulfilled promises by leaders and expressed optimism that the project would deliver meaningful and lasting impact across Karu Local Government Area.
The event concluded with beneficiary mobilisation briefings, a vote of thanks and media interactions.
Organisers described the launch as a significant step toward strengthening inclusive leadership structures, enhancing community protection mechanisms and promoting participatory governance through the Her Safety, Her Future (HSF 2) project
