Bauchi: WaterAid Nigeria, in collaboration with WaterAid Canada, has launched a significant five-year project aimed at improving access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls in Bauchi State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative, named ‘EmpowerHer’, is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and will be executed in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katagum, Misau, and Tafawa Balewa.
Ms Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, emphasized the project’s focus on transforming the lives of women and girls who face challenges that affect their dignity, health, and opportunities. She highlighted that more than 70 per cent of schools in Bauchi lack basic WASH facilities, while over 90 per cent of health centres do not have clean water or adequate toilets. These conditions contribute to gender inequality and restrict the potential of women and girls to fully participate in society and development.
Mere further explained that EmpowerHer would implement gender-responsive and climate-resilient WASH services within communities, schools, and healthcare facilities. The project also aims to train health workers, empower adolescent girls, and strengthen government systems to ensure sustainability. It is anticipated to directly benefit over 100,000 individuals and indirectly reach about 600,000 across the three LGAs.
She expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada for funding the project and praised the Bauchi State Government, civil society groups, women’s organizations, and the media for their collaboration. Implementing partners include Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FAcE-PaM) and the Women Development Association for Self-Sustenance (WODASS).
Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, representing the Minister, commended WaterAid and its partners for initiating the project in Bauchi. She noted the importance of WASH to human survival and women’s empowerment and expressed hope that the participating LGAs would serve as exemplary models for other regions in Nigeria. Additionally, Dr Suleiman Abubakar, Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, acknowledged the project as a collective effort to improve the health and well-being of women and girls.
Mr Nanpet Chuktu, Head of Programmes at WaterAid Nigeria, outlined the project’s scope, which will directly benefit 108,161 people and indirectly impact approximately 600,000 women, adolescent girls, and other stakeholders in 1,036 communities. The initiative will involve various participants, including teachers, healthcare workers, community health extension workers, ward development committee members, and community leaders.
Chuktu highlighted that EmpowerHer builds on WaterAid Nigeria’s technical expertise in WASH and its strong partnership with the Bauchi State Government. The project’s approach includes service delivery, capacity building, policy advocacy, and behavioural change, using WaterAid’s Quality Programme Standards. An emphasis is placed on sustainability, with plans to gradually transfer ownership to local communities and government entities.
Goodwill messages were conveyed by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Global Affairs Canada, and WaterAid Canada, underscoring the collaborative spirit and long-term vision of the EmpowerHer project.