From soap-making to financial literacy, over 150 women in Abuja communities are getting the tools to turn survival into small business success.
The Somalisa Okocha Care Foundation (SOCA) has empowered no fewer than 150 indigent women in the FCT with entrepreneurial skills, starter packs, and basic support items to help them build sustainable sources of income and support their families.
Founder, Ms Lisa Okocha, said the outreach in Kpeygeyi community was part of activities marking International Women’s Day, designed to uplift grassroots women and reduce vulnerability to poverty and gender-based violence.
She explained that beneficiaries were trained in soap, bleach, disinfectant, and peanut production, as well as packaging, marketing, financial literacy, and even product registration with NAFDAC for those aiming to scale.
According to her, the goal is simple: empower one woman, transform an entire community.
Beyond training, participants also received starter packs, food items, and clothing to help them immediately begin small businesses and meet urgent household needs.
The programme also included awareness sessions on women’s rights, mental health, and gender-based violence prevention, with guidance on where to seek help when needed.
SOCA Foundation also extended its outreach beyond women, including youths and men through skills acquisition and medical support programmes in other communities.
Okocha urged government to strengthen support for small businesses, improve access to funding, and respond faster to cases of GBV, stressing that partnerships with NGOs are key to reaching underserved areas.
Beneficiaries praised the initiative, saying it would help them achieve financial independence and support other women in their communities.
A community women leader added that the programme could also reduce household conflict by improving women’s ability to contribute economically.
The event ended with distribution of essential items including rice, beans, pasta, and cooking oil to support families.
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