Our Results

Educating and Empowering Vulnerable Women in Nigeria under the WISE Project

WISE

Stand Out Results:

Over the life of the project

  • Over 6000 women were trained in health, HIV/AIDS and small business management
  • Over 3000 women received training in vocational skills
  • Over 1600 women received grants to start up small businesses
  • Almost universal coverage of HIV testing was achieved by project end compared 23% at the start of the project
  • Knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission methods more than doubled
  • The use of a condom increased from 68% to 82%
  • The % of respondents with multiple sex partners declined from 51% to 34%
  • 57% of women receiving vocational training got a job or started their own business. 60% of those who set up a business increased their income.


Project Title: WISE – Women’s Initiative for Sex Education and Economic Empowerment

Funders: Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) and World Bank (WB)

Budget: $1, 847,429 (JSDF = $1,447,429; WB = $400,000)

Country/Time Frame: Nigeria/2004-2009

The Problem: HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the major public health concerns and disease burdens in Nigeria with approximately 3.4 million people living with the disease. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is disproportionately higher among women, particularly young women and highest among most-at-risk populations (MARPs), such as sex workers. Low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, poor access to care and poverty are major factors that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.

Long Term Goal of Project: Reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence among vulnerable women in targeted communities.

Project Objectives:

  • Improve women’s reproductive health through education and counseling
  • Economically empower women through vocational/business management training and the provision of start up equipment

Direct Beneficiaries: 6000 vulnerable women (out of school adolescents, street children, child brides, sex workers) in the Federal Capital Territory and proximal communities in neighboring states.