DOI: 10.28934/jwee19.34.pp103-108 CASE REPORT Enhancing Women's Economic Empowerment through G-WiN Project: Research Report Priscilla Achakpa1 Gaduwa Housing Estate, Abuja Nigeria Mirjana Radović-Marković2 Institute of Economic Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia A B S T R A C T The lack of women empowerment calls for research by scholars and policy makers. This article explores the impact of G-WiN project on women economic empowerment in Nigeria. We used questionnaire, interview, web surveys, and di- rect observation in data collection. Key findings of the study showed that lack of skills and political and economic power affect the marginalization of women in Ni- geria. Based on the research results, it was concluded that G-WiN Project plays a critical role in the economic development of women. In line with this, the study recommends that implementation of this and similar programs can support women and girls and improve their position in society. KEY WORDS: women, empowerment, education G-WiN project, Nigeria 1 Executive Director of Women Environmental Programme, Block E Flat 2 Anambra Court, Gaduwa Housing Estate, after Apo Legislative Quarters, P.O.Box 10176 Garki, Abuja, Ni- geria, tel: +2348117295065 2 Zmaj Jovina 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: mirjana.radovic@ien.bg.ac.rs 104 Journal of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Education (2019, No. 3-4, 103-108) Introduction Women empowerment has been considered differently among scholars. Therefore, we can find a series of women empowerment programmes dedi- cated to women with the aim to reduce their poverty (Awojobi, 2013). In spite of these difficulties and issues, it has turned out to be broadly acknowledged that advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) is basic to accomplishing sustainable human development, poverty annihilation, and financial development on the African countries and Nige- ria specifically (UNFPA, 2014). In this context, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the implementation of the Girls and Women Initiative in Nigeria (G–WIN) project. The goal of this project is to improve conditions of living for women and girls and reduce their poverty. It is, however, not documented as to what extent this project has achieved its deserved objec- tives. So, this research investigated enhancing women economic empower- ment in Nigeria with respect to the implementation of the G–WIN project. Goals of the Study i. Explore the G–WIN project implementation with an aim to support women economic empowerment in Nigeria. ii Examine institutional framework to strengthen women. Concept of Empowerment The growing number of initiatives are linked to promoting women em- powerment in developing countries (Achakpa and Radović-Marković, 2018). Measuring women economic empowerment is defined as economi- cally enabling women/woman when she has both the capacity to succeed and progress monetarily (Achakpa, 2015), the ability to settle on and follow up on economical choices; to succeed and progress monetarily. Women re- quire skills and resources to contend in business sectors, as well as fair and equal access to economic institutions; to have the power and organization to gain from engaging in economic activities (Radović-Marković, 2016; 2019). They need the capacity to settle on and act on choices, control resources and benefits (Radović-Marković, 2013). Enemuo (2001:26) is of the view that "a successful and practical procedure of women empowerment must funda- mentally incorporate the extension of women's entrance to education oppor- tunities, skill acquisition and positions of authority". Achakpa, P., et al., G-WiN Project, JWEE (2019, No. 3-4, 103-108) 105 Okemakinde (2014) considered women empowerment as a means to build women capacities and their control over the resources and choices in- fluencing their lives. Woman empowerment is consequently, viewed as a tool for breaking obstacles they are faced in traditional Muslim society . The Government of Nigeria in 1998 planned a national policy on which was intended to secure women against all types of segregation, discrimina- tion and empower them. This arrangement since appearing has accom- plished close to nothing or nothing has been done (Nwakaego, 2013). Study Area Nigeria lies between latitudes 4o and 14oN and longitudes 3o and 15oE in West Africa, covering a land mass of 923,768 km2. Picture: Nigeria’s Geopolitical Zones Nigeria's population is assessed to be 167 million in 2011, making it the most populated country and one of the biggest nations in Africa. Around 50 percent of the Nigeria's population is female, and 50 percent male. The sex proportion (the quantity of men per 100 women) is 99. 106 Journal of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Education (2019, No. 3-4, 103-108) In spite of phenomenal gender equality arrangements and aims, gender imbalance remains a test. Around 56% of the uneducated population is women. Regarding work, women’s cooperation in the work drive stays low, with just a single third of Nigerians who secure an occupation in the formal part being women. Participation of women in politics, civil society, leader- ship and the private sector is limited on local, national and global levels (Castellani, 2014). Research Method The total population of the study area is 5521, that comprised of wom- en and girls who benefited from the G-WIN programme directly in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. However, for an effective work, four Local Government Areas were considered in the study. Therefore, 120 participants were selected from each of the four Local Government Areas, making a to- tal of 2400 participants, who were randomly selected. For data analysis, simple percentages were used. We did research from 2016 to 2018. The questionnaire was prepared according to the goals of this research. One was administered on the pioneer ministries (Health, Water, Women Af- fairs and Social development, works and communications) and the benefi- ciaries of G-WIN Project in selected area. Results The age distribution of respondents shows that the project favors people who are adults, as they are responsible, energetic and the capacity to plan for the funds and skills acquired given to them and thus able to use the fund profitably. The G-WIN Project targets vulnerable women, who majorly work in agricultural sector apart from South West Zone where the project favours more of civil servants. This is an indication that the project is geared to- wards support to poor families. On academic attainment, the study revealed that majority of the re- spondents is educated up to university level. The study favors the married women because for them they have a lot of responsibilities to carry out to support their families. The widows are also favored because of the sympathy the communities usually have for them as they are bread winners for their families. Achakpa, P., et al., G-WiN Project, JWEE (2019, No. 3-4, 103-108) 107 On the achievement of project vision and mission, the study revealed that considerable success, especially in the areas of giving women a voice, ensuring parity in the society, stimulating the economy by initiating skills acquisition, access to loan, education. The participants acclaimed that these benefits have pulled them out of poverty, to positive economic growth, thus empowering them through skills acquisition, access to loan, small scale business and financial support. Beneficiaries of the project got the information about the program via local government support, television and radio and through local associa- tion, and are the major sources of information dissemination for women empowerment in the local communities. The study revealed that the selection processes of the selection of bene- ficiaries were done democratically by the Local Government, thus eliminat- ing elite capture. Challenges of GWIN project identified include insufficient fund, cultural belief, and low turnout. Conclusion and Recommendation This study examined women economic empowerment in Nigeria with emphasis on the G-WiN program. Nigerian women are considered as im- portant contributors to the development of the nation. However, due to some constraints, their full potentials have not been used. The G-WiN project has significantly strengthened women who took a part in the area of gender equality, increased income and decreased poverty. At the same time, this project provided opportunities to Nigeria’s economic growth, sustainable human development and social progress. The study therefore recommends that more women development programs should be formulated and implemented by the government and non-governmental or- ganizations and such programs should enable to reach rural women and girls. References [1] Achakpa, Priscilla and Radović-Marković, Mirjana. (2018). Employment Women Through Entrepreneurship Development and Education in Develop- ing Countries. Journal of Women's Entrepreneurship and Education, No. (1/2). pp. 17-30. 108 Journal of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Education (2019, No. 3-4, 103-108) [2] Achakpa, Priscilla. (2015). The role of education in fostering female entre- preneurship in Nigeria. The Fourth International Scientific Conference Em- ployment, Education and Entrepreneurship. [3] Awojobi, (2013) Awojobi, N.O. (2013). Microfinance as a strategy for pov- erty reduction: The Nigerian experience. 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