The Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC), in collaboration with Community and Youth Development Initiatives (CYDI) and Justice Rights Initiatives (JRI), has trained 30 women survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), from conflict-affected communities in Benue and Imo states to strengthen their economic independence, leadership capacity and participation in community decision making.
The two-day leadership and livelihood training, held from October 14 to 15, 2026, Owerri, Imo State, brought together 15 women from each state, equipping them with practical skills in business development, financial management, women’s rights, personal safety and GBV prevention.
The workshop, supported by the Ford Foundation, was designed to help women affected by conflict and GBV overcome economic and social barriers, improve their livelihoods and build the confidence needed to participate actively in decisions affecting their communities.
During the training, the facilitator, Benjamin Mbakwem, a Human and Community Development Consultant and Nnennaya Enyinna, took participants to explore practical ways to identify viable business opportunities, attract and retain customers, maintain product quality, calculate profits, manage costs and reinvest earnings to sustain their businesses.
The participants were also guided on budgeting, savings, emergency planning and separating business capital from household expenditure to improve financial discipline and reduce the risk of business failure.
Beyond economic empowerment, the training raised awareness on different forms of gender based violence, women’s rights, available protection mechanisms and support services.
Participants also examined how stigma and discrimination can discourage survivors from seeking assistance and the importance of supporting survivors without prejudice.
Through group discussions, role-play and practical exercises, the women developed skills in assertive communication, negotiation, problem-solving and constructive engagement in community decision-making.
The sessions further highlighted the importance of collective action, with participants encouraged to explore savings groups, cooperatives, peer-support networks and community collaboration as strategies for overcoming economic challenges and strengthening their businesses.
A major outcome of the workshop was the development of individual 90-day business and leadership action plans by participants.
The plans identified their livelihood priorities, steps for implementation, potential challenges and the support required to achieve their goals.
The organizers noted that the action plans would provide a foundation for translating the knowledge acquired during the training into practical improvements in the women’s businesses, personal development and community participation.
To sustain the gains, CIRDDOC, CYDI and JRI recommended regular follow-up on participants’ progress, mentorship in business management and financial planning, improved access to markets and stronger peer-support networks.
They also emphasized the need to connect participants with appropriate GBV protection and referral services and encourage their safe participation in community meetings, local advocacy and decision-making processes.
The organizers stressed that sustained mentoring, technical support and systematic monitoring would be essential to assess the impact of the training, identify challenges faced by participants and document success stories.
The workshop forms part of efforts by CIRDDOC and its partners to strengthen the resilience, economic empowerment and leadership of women affected by conflict and gender-based violence, with the broader goal of helping them rebuild their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
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