A new initiative aimed at empowering survivors of conflict and gender-based violence has been launched in a northern Nigerian community still recovering from a deadly military drone strike. The Anti-Sexual Violence Lead Support Initiative (ASVIOL) unveiled its “Seeds of Hope” project in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, on Tuesday, targeting 50 women with training in climate-resilient farming practices to combat poverty and vulnerability to abuse.
The program arrives eight months after a mistaken Nigerian Army airstrike killed over 100 residents during a religious celebration, thrusting the rural community into national headlines. ASVIOL officials described the agricultural initiative as both an economic intervention and a preventive measure against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the region.
“By equipping women with sustainable farming skills, we’re addressing food insecurity while creating pathways to financial independence,” said Muhammad Kudu, ASVIOL’s Programs Manager, during the launch event attended by community leaders and government representatives. The project will train participants in drought-resistant crop cultivation and soil conservation techniques adapted to Nigeria’s increasingly unpredictable climate.
Funded through the French Embassy’s Fund for Innovative Projects, the initiative uniquely engages men as active allies in combating SGBV. Executive Director Hassana Maina emphasized this collaborative approach: “True transformation requires shifting community norms. We’re calling on fathers, husbands, and brothers to champion women’s safety and economic participation.”
The December 2023 military incident, which President Bola Tinubu described as a “bombing mishap,” exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in Tudun Biri, where many families rely on subsistence farming. Climate change impacts and displacement from farmer-herder conflicts had already strained local resources before the tragedy.
French diplomatic officials confirmed the €50,000 grant aligns with their strategy to support grassroots solutions to Nigeria’s intersecting security and development challenges. Since 2019, the embassy’s innovation fund has backed 47 Nigerian civil society projects focused on gender equality, environmental sustainability, and conflict resolution.
Community leader Alhaji Sani Ibrahim welcomed the initiative but stressed the need for sustained support: “These women aren’t just statistics – they’re rebuilding lives while feeding their families. With proper tools and protection, they can drive lasting change.”
The six-month program includes seed funding for participants to establish communal farms, coupled with financial literacy training. Organizers plan to replicate the model in other conflict-affected areas if proven effective, potentially impacting Nigeria’s broader efforts to reduce its 63% gender gap in agricultural productivity reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.
As training commences this week, beneficiaries like 34-year-old widow Aisha Mohammed express cautious optimism: “The bombs took my husband and crops. Now I want to grow enough to send my children to school and show our community women can thrive.”
