Enugu State chapter of the Civil Defence Officers Wives Association (CDOWA) has launched a new initiative aimed at equipping 50 women with income-generating skills, in a bid to empower underprivileged women and improve their economic wellbeing. The program, unveiled at a ceremony in Enugu on Wednesday, focuses on providing practical skills that can help participants establish small businesses, increase self-reliance, and enhance their standard of living.

Speaking at the event, the Enugu CDOWA Chairperson, Dr. Josephine Willie, highlighted the enormous efforts of the association in bettering the lives of women across the state. She emphasised that CDOWA has consistently undertaken programmes to support widows, low-income families, and vulnerable women through various empowerment initiatives. “This new skills acquisition programme is part of our ongoing commitment to transform the lives of women who need support most,” she said.

Dr. Willie also recalled past initiatives led by Enugu CDOWA, including medical outreach programs that provided healthcare services to women in remote communities, as well as financial assistance and micro-grants to widows and widowers. Many of these projects were carried out in collaboration with relevant agencies and non-governmental organisations, ensuring that aid reached the most vulnerable and maximised impact.

The new initiative covers a range of practical skills, including tailoring, beadwork, soap and detergent making, and other entrepreneurial ventures designed to generate sustainable income. Participants will receive both hands-on training and guidance on how to manage small-scale businesses effectively. This, according to Dr. Willie, is aimed at creating long-term economic independence for women in Enugu State.

Dr. Willie expressed her gratitude to the President of CDOWA, Hajiya Aisha Audi, for her unwavering support and encouragement, which has been instrumental in making the programme a reality. She noted that Hajiya Audi’s leadership and vision for women’s empowerment have inspired chapters across the country to initiate similar projects.

Concluding the event, Dr. Willie reiterated CDOWA’s commitment to continuing programs that improve the socio-economic conditions of women in Enugu. She called on public and private stakeholders to support the initiative, noting that collaborative efforts would strengthen the association’s mission of creating opportunities, promoting self-reliance, and uplifting the lives of underprivileged women across the state.