UNESCO Partners NGO to Empower Women, Boost Creative Economy

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has announced plans to partner with Nigerian non-governmental organisation, New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative, to advance women’s empowerment and community development across the country.

The disclosure was made by UNESCO Creative Safety Focal Point in Nigeria, Francis Sokumba, at a press conference in Abuja ahead of the organisation’s national launch scheduled for next month.

Sokumba said UNESCO would provide technical expertise to strengthen Nigeria’s arts and crafts sector while opening up international market opportunities for women through city-to-city diplomacy initiatives.

He noted that the partnership would not only build the capacity of women but also promote and protect their rights through relevant preservation and protection frameworks.

“We are happy to see an NGO focused on improving the lives of women. Education shapes minds, and when people are empowered, they make the right decisions,” he said, affirming that UNESCO is “100 per cent” committed to supporting the initiative.

Founder and Chairman of NEWOMCII, Bolaji Raji, said the organisation was established to address gaps in access to opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, particularly at the grassroots level.

According to him, the initiative is focused on delivering practical empowerment through agribusiness, creative enterprises, skills development, and community-based interventions.

“We saw the gap, we saw the need, and we chose to be part of the solution. Our goal is not just conversations but real, demand-driven capacity building that improves livelihoods,” Raji said.

He emphasised that empowering women remains central to sustainable development, noting that stronger collaboration with government, private sector actors, development partners, and the media would be critical to achieving nationwide impact across all 36 states.

Also speaking, National Coordinator of NEWOMCII, Sa’adatu Bokane Adamu, said the organisation is committed to grassroots-driven interventions aimed at strengthening women and uplifting communities.

She identified key focus areas to include agribusiness, arts and crafts development, youth empowerment, and community support initiatives.

The Deputy National Coordinator, Ronke Akanni, noted that the upcoming national launch would serve as a platform to demonstrate the role of non-governmental organisations in supporting government efforts toward economic development.

She outlined the initiative’s core values as innovation, community development, gender mainstreaming, accountability, and transparency.

Akanni added that NEWOMCII aims to enhance economic opportunities in the arts and crafts sector, promote food security through agribusiness partnerships, empower women and youth as drivers of economic growth, and strengthen grassroots participation in sustainable development practices.

The national launch is expected to bring together stakeholders across sectors to foster partnerships and scale impact, reinforcing the role of civil society in driving inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria.