The Women’s Organization for Relief and Empowerment is a non-profit, non-political entity established to advocate for the rights, dignity, and well-being of women and the less privileged. We are committed to creating a society where all persons, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can access the support, empowerment, and resources they need to thrive. From providing relief to victims of domestic violence to fostering economic independence through empowerment programs, we strive to address the unique challenges women, young girls, and the less privileged face in today’s world.
Malama Amina, a resilient widow in her 50s living in Kano, faces numerous challenges as she supports her four sons with a modest sachet water business. Despite being burdened by hypertension and limited resources, she manages to cover her monthly medication and hospital expenses. Her eldest son had to abandon his education due to financial constraints, and another son requires extra care due to Turner syndrome. The family lives in a cramped, overcrowded room inherited from her late husband, struggling with insufficient space and resources. A glimmer of hope appeared when a dilapidated room, previously owned by her sister-in-law, became available for sale. However, the price of 280,000 naira was far beyond Malama Amina's reach. In response, the Women’s Organization for Relief and Empowerment (WORE) stepped in, contributing 150,000 naira toward the purchase. This support provides the family with a chance for more space, a better living environment, and opportunities for the children to study and thrive.
This is the second success story. It shows how persistence and a positive mindset led to incredible achievements.
This is the third success story. Learn how setting clear goals and working hard helped overcome significant challenges.
Founded in 2019, we aim to integrate traditional leadership into supportive services, GBV prevention and support frameworks. In the heart of Kano, a city steeped in culture and tradition, the Women’s Organization for Relief and Empowerment embarked on a transformative journey to combat vulnerability and injustice. Recognizing the urgency of addressing crimes against women and men who are at risk, the organization forged partnerships with women’s groups across the region. Together, they amplified their voices, raising awareness and advocating for systemic change to protect the rights and dignity of the vulnerable.
The organization has made a significant impact across Kano's 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs), collaborating with district, ward, and village heads to address injustice and support the less privileged. These traditional leaders played a crucial role in identifying issues and mobilizing communities for support. Through community dialogues and direct interventions, the partnership empowered vulnerable individuals, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity. The organization’s commitment to justice and social welfare is further strengthened through a collaboration with Hisbah, focused on gender-based violence (GBV) awareness, women’s and youth empowerment, and community outreach based on Islamic values. This partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), includes regular training for Hisbah personnel to improve their skills in legal advocacy, crisis intervention, and community engagement. By integrating traditional justice systems and working with traditional courts and elders, the organization provides culturally appropriate conflict resolution avenues for victims of GBV. In addition, the empowerment of women is supported through grassroots initiatives like skill-building workshops and entrepreneurship programs, ensuring the sustainability of projects while respecting community traditions. Through this combined effort, the organization and Hisbah aim to create a more equitable society, offering a powerful blend of traditional and modern solutions to societal challenges.
This united front has become a beacon of hope, proving that through collaboration and determination, meaningful change can reach even the most marginalized communities.
At the Women's Organization for Relief and Empowerment (WORE), we are committed to creating meaningful change in communities through various impactful programs aimed at empowering women and supporting marginalized groups. Below are the key programs that drive our mission:
Our initiative addresses gender-based violence (GBV) through advocacy, community education, and survivor support. By collaborating with traditional leaders and local authorities, we ensure victims receive the necessary help and promote cultural change against violence. Services include counseling, legal support, and victim aid to create safer communities.
We focus on empowering women to become economically independent by providing vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and financial literacy. Our programs give women the skills and resources needed to start businesses, enhance incomes, and contribute to their communities.
Understanding the influence of traditional leaders, we train them on women’s rights, gender equality, and community support. By integrating traditional leadership into our efforts, we ensure cultural practices evolve to protect women and children while promoting dignity and fairness.
We engage communities through public forums, dialogues, and awareness campaigns to address issues such as women’s rights, healthcare, and education. These platforms foster open communication, trust-building, and promote the well-being of all community members.
In times of crisis, WORE provides immediate relief by distributing food, medical supplies, and financial assistance. Working alongside government and local leaders, we ensure timely and effective support to help affected individuals rebuild their lives with dignity.
These programs reflect our deep commitment to creating a lasting impact by working within local cultural contexts and empowering communities to drive positive change.
Training traditional rulers and the Hisbah Board Personnel on GBV response to build awareness and empower communities. The Women's Organization for Relief and Empowerment (WORE) is likely conducting the following key programs based on the information provided: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Support: WORE focuses on raising awareness about gender-based violence, providing support to victims, and advocating for systemic changes to protect women and children. By partnering with traditional rulers, the organization can leverage their authority to address GBV at the community level, offer counseling services, and intervene in cases of abuse (as seen in the collaboration with local leaders in Kano). Women’s Empowerment and Economic Independence: Through vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and financial literacy initiatives, WORE aims to empower women economically. These programs help women gain skills, start businesses, and improve their livelihoods, fostering self-reliance and independence, especially in rural and underserved areas. Traditional Leadership Engagement: Recognizing the importance of traditional rulers in Nigerian society, WORE seeks to integrate these leaders into its advocacy efforts. By training traditional rulers on GBV response and empowering them with knowledge of women’s rights, WORE ensures that these community leaders play an active role in protecting women and promoting positive social change in their communities. Community Outreach and Dialogue: WORE organizes community dialogues and public forums that engage local populations in discussions about social justice, women’s rights, and empowerment. These outreach activities aim to build trust and collaboration with the public, raise awareness, and create a platform for addressing local issues through community-driven solutions. Relief and Crisis Intervention: In times of emergency, such as natural disasters or personal crises, WORE provides immediate relief to affected individuals. This may include offering financial support, medical care, or essential supplies. By working with both formal and informal structures, including traditional leaders, WORE can ensure that the relief reaches those in need quickly and effectively.
Explore a collection of our valuable resources designed to support women, young girls, and communities in their journey to empowerment. These materials include research reports, toolkits, and guides created to inform, educate, and empower individuals and organizations.
Meet our advisory council of traditional rulers and key staff.
Engaging traditional rulers to foster cultural change.
"Change begins at the heart of the community."
Workshops on GBV prevention and response.
"Empowering individuals leads to stronger communities."
Supporting survivors and advocating for policy reform.
"Justice and advocacy pave the way for equality."
Researching the impact of customs on GBV.
"Knowledge drives informed action."