Women Initiatives
Murtala Muhammed Foundation women's initiative programme is geared toward empowering women; strengthening the social, educational, and economic powers possessed by women, and reshaping the society to one that refines gender inequality. Nigerian society and other African societies have been shaped into believing women should not be in school; women should not be in a boardroom nor hold a political position. A report given by UNDP in 2018 shows that no fewer than 1.1 billion women remain unbanked; women own 30% of formal Small-Medium Enterprises and 70% have little or no access to funds and resources to help expand and sustain their businesses. Also, in 2017, in Nigeria, it was reported that over three-quarters of the poorest women have never been to school which makes 94% of them illiterate. As such, many women are belittled, abused, harassed, sexually assaulted, and treated unjustly.
To fight against this problem that has persisted long enough, MMF is committed to closing gender gaps, promoting economic development, building capacity for women and fostering the education of the girl child in Nigeria. Our women's initiative programme focuses on these key areas:
- Women in Development Enterprise Across Africa (WIDEAA) – WIDEAA started in 2013 with the aim of driving economic growth and development; women empowerment and regional integration. One of the components of WIDEAA is the women's exchange programme.
- Women Exchange Programme – This programme fosters regional integration in Africa towards the promotion of economic growth and development and its contribution to improving intra-African trade.
- Women Power Lunch – The Power Lunch programme provides a framework for women entrepreneurs to listen, learn and share ideas with internationally acclaimed and distinguished speakers who are leaders in various African countries. The speaker talks about subject matters that span different developmental issues relating to African women. This programme contributes to the efforts put into bridging the complex factors undermining women's empowerment in the entrepreneurship sector.
- Women Mentorship Programme – MMF in partnership with Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, United Kingdom provides support to women entrepreneurs through online mentoring. These mentees are matched with business professionals (accomplished mentors) who are experts in the areas of their business interest; one-year support tailored to their business needs and goals is provided to the mentees. As one of the major partners of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation has helped Nigerian women increase their full potential and grow successful small and medium businesses. On a yearly basis, 3 batches of women mentees are selected for the 12-month mentorship programme. In a year, over 120 female entrepreneurs benefit from this programme. MMF has provided support to over 300 women to develop their skills and business knowledge to improve their business. This programme is suitable for women whose business is at the growing stage or at the established stage. Regardless, every woman who undergoes this program becomes part of a supportive community of over 2500 accomplished entrepreneurs from around the world. With a support for cultural diversity, the mentors come from 45 different countries and the mentees come from over 80 low and middle income countries.
