Women Leading the Change • Participant Spotlight
Abest
Program Coordinator
Maiduguri, Nigeria
Group C
I am a dedicated humanitarian professional with over six (6)years of experience working across diverse sectors in the BAY states of North-East Nigeria. My journey has taken me through critical roles and various sectors,including Protection Officer,PWAN (Partners West Africa Nigeria, Rule of law Initiative) Program associate, CCCM (Camp Coordination and Camp Management) Senior Officer Program Officer, Education officer, i have carried out alot of assessments such as MSNA (Multisectoral Needs Assessments),FSOM (Food Security and Outcome Monitoring),Flood ,WASH,Rain damage, Raining season mitigation Assessments. I have also worked in the health sector as a cholera response staff and alot of Enumeration and volunteering work and MEAL associate. I’ve supported vulnerable populations, strengthened accountability systems, conducted alot of trainings and managed more 60 individuals in different organisations. I have greatly contributed to a safer, more resilient communities in a dignified manner. Working in high-risk and dynamic environments has shaped my strong resilience, adaptability, and commitment to humanity. I thrive in a challenging contexts, I am very flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and a team-centered approach to deliver meaningful impact on vulnerable populations. My career has deepened my passion for humanitarian work and reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration and community-driven solutions. As I continue to grow, I remain committed to protecting human dignity, promoting inclusion, and contributing to programs that create lasting change.
Education
BSc
Age range
35–44
Organization
Hope Initiative
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Leadership focus
Key issues & motivation
Key issue(s)
There are four basic issues i am passionate about, particularly gender-based violence of which every issue resolved around it and eliminating barriers to girls’ education, and promoting women and girls empowerment where possible. Permit me to briefly explain the key issues;
Gender-Based Violence :Girls and women continue to face high levels of sexual violence, domestic abuse, child marriage, and exploitation—especially in conflict-affected and economically fragile communities. Many cases go unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and weak referral systems. Survivors often lack access to safe spaces, psychosocial support, legal aid, and timely medical care.
2. Economic Empowerment:women and girls remain economically marginalized, with limited access to livelihoods, capital, land ownership, and decent work. Even when women are active contributors to household income, their work is undervalued and unpaid, limiting their ability to break cycles of poverty.
3. Limited Access to Education: eliminating barriers to girls’ and adult education.Poverty, insecurity, early marriage, and displacement continue to push girls out of school. In emergencies, education for girls is often deprioritized, increasing the risk of abuse, early pregnancy, and lifelong economic , and promoting women and girls empowerment where possible.
4. Exclusion from Leadership and Decision-Making:This has been a serious issue in our communities today, most especially in North-East Nigeria. Despite being most affected by crises, women are often excluded from peace-building, governance, and community leadership spaces. This limits the sustainability of development and humanitarian interventions in our communities ,today.
Motivation
What motivates me to participate in this cohort is my deep commitment to advancing gender equality and amplifying the voices of women and girls who are often excluded from decision-making spaces, especially in conflict-affected communities. Through my work and lived experiences, I have seen how women carry the heaviest burdens of insecurity, poverty, and social exclusion, yet remain underrepresented in leadership and governance.I am motivated by the chance to gain practical tools, mentorship, and networks that will help me translate community realities into sustainable programmes, policies and systems.
Also I believe that empowered women leaders creates a huge ripple effects transforming families, communities, and institutions. The Women Leading Change platform will enable me to grow into a more confident, strategic, and influential leader who contributes meaningfully to inclusive governance and social transformation.
Leadership philosophy
First,i define leadership as service with responsibility,where you have the ability to influence positive change by listening, empowering others, and acting with integrity. For me, leadership is not just about position or authority,it is about impact, accountability, and the courage to stand for what is right, even when it is difficult.
My leadership approach is community-centered and inclusive. I believe the people most affected by a problem should be part of designing the solution. I lead by listening first, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and ensuring that women, girls, and marginalized voices are not just consulted but actively involved in decision-making.
I practice transformational leadership, focused on building capacity rather than control. I invest in mentoring, collaboration, and shared ownership, knowing that sustainable change happens when people are equipped with skills, confidence, and opportunity.
I also believe leadership requires empathy and action. Compassion without action is not enough, and action without empathy causes harm. I balance both by grounding my decisions in evidence, human dignity, and long-term impact.
And lastly, my leadership is guided by integrity,accountability, and resilience. I lead with transparency, learn from failure, and remain adaptable in complex and humanitarian settings. My goal as a leader is not just to deliver results, but to leave systems stronger, people empowered, and communities more resilient than I met them.
Research project
Evaluating Gender Inequalities and Inclusion in Political Participation
Women and Marginalized groups continue to face significant barriers to political participation, so this research examines gender inequalities and the level of inclusion of women in political participation in North-East Nigeria, a region affected by prolonged conflict, displacement, and entrenched socio-cultural norms. Despite national and international commitments to gender equality, women in the region remain significantly underrepresented in political leadership and decision-making processes. The study explores the complex interplay of socio-cultural, economic, institutional, and policy-related factors that influence women’s ability to participate meaningfully in politics, both as voters and as candidates.
The research analyzes how traditional norms, religious expectations, and gender roles shape perceptions of women’s leadership and restrict their political engagement. It also assesses the impact of economic empowerment on women’s political agency, recognizing financial independence as a critical enabler for contesting elections and sustaining political participation. Furthermore, the study examines political party structures and electoral processes to identify systemic barriers—such as high nomination fees, internal party dynamics, and electoral insecurity—that either hinder or promote women’s inclusion.
Finally, the research evaluates the effectiveness of existing policies and affirmative action measures aimed at improving gender equality in political representation. By generating context-specific, evidence-based findings, the study seeks to inform policymakers, civil society, political institutions, and development partners, contributing to more inclusive governance, strengthened democratic processes, and sustainable peace in North-East Nigeria.
Target beneficiaries
The target beneficiaries of this research are women and girls in North-East Nigeria, particularly those living in conflict-affected, rural, and marginalized communities. This includes women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, returnee populations, host communities, young women, first-time voters, and aspiring female political leaders whose participation in political processes remains limited due to structural and social barriers. Other target beneficiaries also include grassroots women’s groups, community-based organizations, and youth-led women associations that advocate for gender inclusion and democratic participation, political institutions and governance actors, including political parties, electoral bodies, and local government authorities, by providing insights into institutional practices and electoral processes that either promote or hinder women’s political inclusion. Traditional and religious leaders form an important target group too, as they play a critical role in shaping social norms and community acceptance of women’s leadership.
Finally,policymakers, civil society organizations, development partners, and donors are key beneficiaries who can use the research findings to design gender-responsive policies, reforms, and investments that promote inclusive political participation, strengthen democratic governance, and support sustainable peace in North-East Nigeria.
Expected impact
From this research, it is expected that evidence-based insights that contribute to improved gender equality and inclusive political participation in North-East Nigeria wil be generated. Below are the anticipated impacts :
1. Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
The study will provide empirical data on how socio-cultural norms, economic conditions, political party structures, and policy frameworks affect women’s political participation. This evidence will support policymakers, electoral bodies, and development partners in designing context-specific, gender-responsive policies and reforms that promote women’s inclusion in political processes.
2. Strengthened Advocacy and Programming
Findings from the research will strengthen the work of civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, and NGOs by equipping them with credible data to advocate for affirmative action, reduced political barriers, and safer political spaces for women. It will also inform more effective community-based and humanitarian programmes linking economic empowerment, civic engagement, and leadership development.
3. Increased Visibility of Women’s Voices
By documenting the lived experiences of women and girls,particularly those in conflict-affected and marginalized communities. the research will amplify voices that are often excluded from political discourse. This increased visibility can shift narratives and encourage greater social acceptance of women’s leadership.
4. Institutional and Electoral Reforms
The study is expected to highlight structural barriers within political parties and electoral processes, such as high nomination fees, weak internal democracy, and electoral violence. These findings can inform reforms aimed at making political institutions more inclusive, transparent, and accountable to women.
5. Improved Gender-Responsive Investments
Development partners and donors will benefit from clear evidence on where investments are most effective. The research will guide strategic funding decisions that integrate gender equality, political participation, peace-building, and economic empowerment.
6. Long-Term Democratic and Peace Outcomes
In the long term, increased women’s participation in politics contributes to more representative governance, stronger accountability, and sustainable peace—particularly in post-conflict settings like North-East Nigeria. Inclusive political systems are more responsive to community needs and better equipped to address root causes of instability.
Achievements
Evidence of leadership & engagement
Meaningful change
I have lots of experiences where I created meaningful moment of changes ,and I wil only describe two (2) I made a meaningful change when I mobilized women in my community to participate in local decision-making forums, many of whom had never spoken up before due to cultural and social barriers. Through awareness sessions, mentorship, and encouragement, several women took active roles in community committees, voiced their concerns, and influenced decisions on local development projects. Seeing these women gain confidence, claim their space, and contribute to decisions that directly affected their lives was a powerful demonstration of advocacy can transform communities even though the empowerment role didn't come through.
The second meaningful change i will like to talk about happened not quite long,during the flooding in Borno State, a small settlement of about 15HHs 112Individuals where affected by the flood,where they moved to a particular hall with no assistance from anyone. I located them and was able to advocate for for food ,hygiene kits and medical attention. I successfully got a nurse who transported some of them to a nearby clinic,and I also got an Organization that distributed clothings and hygiene items to them.
And lots of meaningful impacts that I have created in the past in my humanitarian work.
Networks / associations
I engaged in women-focused and community-based networks that promote gender equality, leadership, and social change. These include grassroots women’s groups and community associations working on women’s empowerment, peace-building, and civic engagement, particularly at the local and community levels. I also participate in women’s leadership and advocacy platforms, where members share knowledge, mentorship, and strategies for increasing women’s participation in governance and decision-making.
I collaborate with civil society and youth-led groups involved in gender justice, community mobilization, and awareness-raising on women’s rights and political inclusion. Through these networks, I contribute to dialogue, capacity-building activities, and collective advocacy aimed at amplifying women’s voices and strengthening inclusive leadership.
Evidence record
Verified outcomes after WLC
Verified outcomes will appear here as A2WG reviews and publishes them.