GPI, GAATW Empower Edo Women with Livelihood Skills

BENIN CITY – Ten women workers have acquired practical skills in the production of bar soap and powder detergent through a livelihood empowerment programme organised by the Women Workers Forum (WWF), with funding support from the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) and implementation by Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI). The one-day skills acquisition training, held on July 14, 2026, at the GPI Benin Centre, formed part of the Forum’s economic empowerment initiative aimed at reducing the economic vulnerability of women by equipping them with practical, income-generating skills. The training was coordinated by GPI Learning Facilitator, Precious Osasogie, who guided participants through both theoretical and practical sessions on the production of quality bar soap and powder detergent. Participants included Monica Ogbikaya, Florence Omorogbe, Happy Obaretin, Honest Imade, Adesuwa Irorere, Stella Agbonghae, Success Uwadiae, Mercy Amadin, Nancy Afolabi and Blessing Ohiomokhae. The participants were introduced to the raw materials required for production, their functions, appropriate measurements, safety procedures and quality control measures. They also learned two methods of producing bar soap—the hot water and cold water methods—as well as the step-by-step process of producing high-quality powder detergent. Following the demonstrations, the participants engaged in practical sessions where they successfully produced both bar soap and powder detergent under the supervision of the trainer. The finished products were tested and certified to be of good quality, giving the women the confidence to begin production independently. Addressing the participants, the trainer encouraged them to overcome financial constraints by forming production clusters, pooling resources and establishing small-scale enterprises capable of generating sustainable income. Osasogie urged the women to immediately apply the knowledge acquired, embrace entrepreneurship to improve their household incomes and share the skills responsibly with other women while maintaining high production standards. Speaking on behalf of the participants, Monica Ogbikaya described the training as timely and impactful, expressing satisfaction with the quality of the products produced. She said the programme had inspired her to venture into soap production as a means of supporting her family’s income. Another participant, Stella Agbonghae, encouraged the women to collaborate by contributing resources to produce soap and detergent locally rather than purchasing them from the market, noting that such cooperation would reduce household expenses while creating additional income opportunities. Other participants commended the practical nature of the training and appreciated GAATW and GPI for providing them with marketable livelihood skills. They pledged to utilise the knowledge gained for household use and income generation. The organisers said the programme successfully achieved its objective of strengthening the economic resilience of women by promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods through practical skills development. The participants also expressed appreciation to GAATW, Girls’ Power Initiative, the resource trainer and Learning Facilitator Precious Osasogie for organising the training, pledging to apply the skills acquired to improve their livelihoods, support their families and contribute positively to their communities.