Deadline: 10-Feb-2026

ActionAid Nigeria, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, is implementing the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project from 2025 to 2029. The project supports women-led organizations in Benue and Imo States to strengthen capacity, advance gender equality, influence policy, and amplify the voices of women and girls, contributing to national and international gender justice frameworks.

Project Overview

The Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project aims to strengthen women’s rights organizations and advance gender equality in Nigeria. Key objectives include:

• Promoting the enjoyment of human rights by women and girls in all their diversity.

• Delivering inclusive, gender-transformative programs.

• Strengthening the institutional and programmatic capacity of women’s rights organizations.

• Enhancing access to opportunities, services, and decision-making platforms for women and girls.

• Influencing policy, legislation, and advocacy initiatives for gender justice.

Alignment with National and International Frameworks

The project supports the implementation of key gender and human rights frameworks, including:

• National Gender Policy

• Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP)

• Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality)

• Maputo Protocol and its Optional Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa

Who is Eligible?

Eligible organizations must:

• Be women-led organizations registered and operating in Benue State or Imo State.

• Have an annual budget allocation of at least N12,000,000.00.

• Demonstrate the capacity to deliver impactful programs promoting women’s rights and gender equality.

Focus Areas and Activities

The project supports initiatives that:

• Advance gender equality and women’s rights.

• Strengthen women-led organizations’ programmatic and institutional capacity.

• Improve access to opportunities and services for women and girls.

• Amplify the voices of women and girls in policy dialogues.

• Influence and contribute to policy and legal reforms at national and subnational levels.

• Promote collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning among women’s rights organizations.

Project Goals

The project is designed to address systemic barriers that limit the effectiveness of women’s rights organizations by:

• Providing sustained technical and financial support.

• Enhancing capacity for policy advocacy and government engagement.

• Strengthening collaboration and solidarity within the women’s rights movement.

• Supporting the implementation of inclusive and gender-transformative programs that impact communities.

Why It Matters

The Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project addresses critical challenges faced by women’s rights organizations in Nigeria, particularly at subnational levels. By providing resources, mentorship, and collective action opportunities, the project:

• Strengthens organizational capacity and sustainability.

• Amplifies women’s and girls’ voices in decision-making.

• Promotes policy reforms and legal protections for gender equality.

• Encourages solidarity, learning, and coordinated action across the women’s rights movement.

How to Apply

Step-by-step application process:

1. Confirm eligibility: Ensure your organization is women-led, registered in Benue or Imo State, and meets the minimum budget requirement.

2. Prepare proposal: Include program objectives, expected outcomes, and strategies for impact.

3. Provide organizational documentation: Proof of registration, annual budget, and track record of gender-focused work.

4. Submit application according to ActionAid Nigeria’s official guidelines and deadlines.

5. Selection process: Applications will be assessed based on capacity, impact potential, and alignment with project objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete proposals or missing required documentation.

• Failing to demonstrate a clear track record in women’s rights programming.

• Overlooking the budget eligibility requirement.

• Neglecting to show potential for policy influence or collaboration with other organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for this project?
   Women-led organizations registered in Benue or Imo State with an annual budget of at least N12,000,000.00.

2. What is the project duration?
   The Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project runs from 2025 to 2029.

3. What types of support are provided?
   Technical and financial support to strengthen organizational capacity, program delivery, advocacy, and policy engagement.

4. What are the key focus areas?
   Gender equality, women’s rights, access to services, policy advocacy, mentorship, and collaboration.

5. How does the project align with national and international frameworks?
   It contributes to the National Gender Policy, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, SDG 5, Maputo Protocol, and other legal and policy instruments protecting women’s rights.

6. Is collaboration with other organizations encouraged?
   Yes, the project emphasizes mentorship, collective action, and shared learning among women’s rights organizations.

7. What outcomes are expected?
   Enhanced capacity of women’s rights organizations, stronger advocacy and policy influence, improved access to services for women and girls, and broader gender equality impacts at community and subnational levels.

Conclusion

ActionAid Nigeria’s Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project provides strategic support to women-led organizations to strengthen gender equality and women’s rights in Nigeria. By fostering capacity building, advocacy, and collaborative action, the project empowers organizations to deliver impactful programs and drive systemic change for women and girls across Benue and Imo States.

For more information, visit ActionAid Nigeria.