Project Overview: Women’s Training, Empowerment and Delivery (WTED)

Building on the foundation of the Rivers State Gender Policy (2024–2028), SDN has launched the Women’s Training, Empowerment and Delivery (WTED) Project. With support from the Czech Embassy, the initiative aligns with the UN’s International Women’s Day theme: “Accelerating Action for Women.”

WTED seeks to empower young women to engage effectively in political leadership and decision-making by addressing the structural barriers that hinder their participation. It also supports broader efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Aims

The project will directly engage 30 young women through targeted capacity-building interventions designed to strengthen their political knowledge and engagement. Key components include:

• Young Women’s Ambassador and Mentorship Program – Establishing a platform for peer learning, mentorship, and leadership development in Rivers State.
• Advocacy Campaigns – Designing and implementing strategic advocacy efforts aimed at influencing political parties and government actors to adopt inclusive policies and practices.

Context

In 2019, SDN conducted research across five states in the Niger Delta, uncovering a stark decline in women’s political and leadership representation over the past two decades. With women occupying only 6.7% of elective and appointive positions—far below the global average of 22.5%—gender inequality remains deeply entrenched in Nigeria’s governance structures.

This underrepresentation stems from a range of systemic barriers, including entrenched patriarchal norms, insecurity, limited access to financial resources, weak implementation of gender-responsive policies, and a general lack of knowledge around internal political party dynamics.

To address these issues, SDN worked in partnership with the Rivers State Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice to develop the first-ever Rivers State Gender Policy—a strategic framework for promoting gender equality, enhancing governance, and fostering accountability. The policy lays the groundwork for critical reforms, such as a proposed 50:50 gender affirmative action policy in appointive positions.

Our Commitment

Through this initiative, SDN is working to create space for young women to become influential actors in governance. By investing in their skills, confidence, and visibility, the WTED Project aims to catalyze long-term change in political participation and leadership at all levels.