By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Secure Woman Academy and Forum (SWAF), has challenged housewives to break conventional boundaries and acquire skills that will equip them to drive economic growth and development.
Mrs Bridget William, Founder of SWAF, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
She said that SWAF offers free and inclusive vocational training for women and girl-child empowerment.
Williams listed the programmes as, catering, tailoring, hairdressing, gele tying and make-up, liquid soap, disinfectant production, event planning/decoration among other skills and provides starter-pack upon graduation.
According to her, the present situation of the economy requires all hands to be on deck, the role of full-time housewives is no longer domestic work alone.
She said that the NGO is focusing on sustainable skills development, mentorship and economic empowerment, describing a woman with skill as a valuable asset in the homes and society at large,
Williams said, the academy is aimed at supporting women, especially housewives and girl-child to be economically independent by equipping them with skills and financial stability.
“Many women lack access to skilled training and resources, this hinders their ability to contribute meaningfully to their lives, households and communities.
“I also noticed a need for practical guidance on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and personal development.
“One major way for them to be productive is to create a platform that can significantly bridge the gaps by setting up vocational skills centres that offer economic empowerment and practical guide to self-development through teaching modules.
“The idea is to bridge the gaps by providing skills or acquisition training and teaching practical principles that empower women to become self-sufficient and valuable contributors to their lives, families and society.
“The academy also provides a platform for mentorship and networking among women entrepreneurs. They offer their training programmes for free and are open to financial donations and support,” she added.
Williams identified domestic background as a challenge, noting that some husbands do not want their wives to be gainfully engaged, which discourages women and causes them to discontinue their training because of such domestic reasons.
The SWA founder declared that there was a need for practical guidance on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and personal development of women.
“These gaps often lead to limited opportunities for illiterate and semi-literate women, leading to a gross lack of self-confidence which further impoverishes them.
“Now, there is a place where they can acquire real training all completely free, become self-employed and at the same time build virtues that help them stand out in the marketplace”. Williams said.
She noted that the academy inaugurated in 2021 had produced sets of graduates in various field of skill, adding that some are gainfully self-employed, while others work in eateries.
According to her, with good supply of funds we can do more, reach more women, cover more grounds and even spread across the 36 states of the federation.
She hinted that one of the major needs on the group now is procuring its own property with facilities and equipment to sustain services to people.
Mrs Christiana Ogbe-Ochi, a beneficiary who is now a caterer said she begun making and selling snacks from home and after graduation, now makes money from pastries and supports her family.”
Also, Mirabel Nnaji, disclosed that she received financial assistance after completing her training from SWA, which enabled her to start her own business, making and selling pastries and household items.
According to Nnaji, SWA provided the opportunity to achieve her dream in 2024 after being listed among the best graduates from the academy in catering.
Nnaji who thanked the Academy for the free training, noted that she became a volunteer instructor in SWA’s catering class as part of measure to give back to the community that empowered her.
On her part, Miss Favour Edafe, said that she made best use of the 2023 ASUU strike that lasted for eight months to enrolled in SWA for tailoring and by October when the strike was over, I had already learnt the skill.
“I could cut very well and also sew different styles. The instructors at SWA are very good and patient with the trainees too. They are happy to see trainees succeed,”.