Women in Nigeria receive funds for economic empowerment from Global Peace Foundation and Bethel Candle of Hope for the Vulnerable.

Economic stability is a key component of peace and social cohesion. Unfortunately, poverty is often a deterrent to achieving peaceful coexistence as it can lead to violence and instability. Recognizing that women are a central and guiding force for their families and communities, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria established a program in 2024 to engage women in acquiring knowledge and skills related to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and financial literacy.

In February 2025, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, GPF Nigeria Country Director, partnering with Bethel Candle of Hope for the Vulnerable, bestowed one million naira each to five women’s cooperative societies in Hayin Banki, Kaduna state. The financial support empowers the 100 women, 20 in each of the five cooperative societies, to fight poverty, improve their livelihoods, and support peacebuilding activities in their communities.

After he provided the funding to the women’s cooperative societies at the Bajju Hall in Hayin Banki Kaduna, Rev. Hayab spoke to reporters on the rationale driving GPF Nigeria’s focus on empowering women. According to Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo in his Vanguardngr.com article, “GPFN gives N1m to Kaduna women Co-op societies to stop poverty,” Rev. Hayab stated, “What are we trying to do; we just feel strongly that our women need to be empowered because one of the serious causes of violence or conflict is poverty and if you empower women with knowledge and financially, the impact is beautiful and goes beyond them entirely and so we formed them into cooperative societies.”

The full article can be accessed online at https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/gpfn-gives-n1m-to-kaduna-women-co-op-societies-to-stop-poverty/