Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, says the sum of N3billion has been disbursed to empower 67,358 women in the six geo-political zones.
Tallen disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while featuring in the 59th edition of the State House briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.
According to the minister, the Empowerment Project for Rural Women, which started with six pilot States, is supported by World Bank.
“It is strictly for rural women and girls, through local financial literacy programmes and skills acquisition, using the instrumentality of the six pilot States.
“It was a pilot project for six States; one for each geopolitical zone and when we tried it and saw that it was successful, we appealed to the President and the World Bank for us to extend it down to the States.
“The States that first benefited were Ogun- South-West; Niger- North-Central; Abia- South-East; Taraba- North-East and Kebbi- North-West, through the establishment of women affinity groups.
“The project has disbursed over N3billion to 67,358 women beneficiaries.
“The women are excited because the monies were transferred into their accounts and more are coming as we will extend it to all the States.”
Tallen said she had obtained the commitment of State governors to domesticate laws to protect women and the girl-child.
