For too long, single mothers in Nigeria have been trapped in cycles of economic hardship, social stigma, and limited opportunities. But in Hayin Dan Mani, Kaduna, a powerful transformation is unfolding. Thirty single mothers once struggling to make ends meet are now business owners, artisans, and community leaders, thanks to the Empowering Single Mothers through Craftsmanship and Entrepreneurship project.
This initiative is driven by Maryam Jallo, a Global Peace Women (GPW) project leader with the support of the GPW Global Dream Grant and in collaboration with Jamar Health Foundation. The project has not only equipped these women with the skills to generate income but also strengthened their confidence, emotional resilience, and leadership within their families and communities.
The urgency to act—to accelerate change—has never been clearer. In many parts of the world, women still face systemic barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. But this project stands as proof that when action is taken swiftly and intentionally, lives are transformed.
The project, which ran from August to October 2024, trained 30 single mothers—15 in bead-making and 15 in bag-making—while all participants received business management training. These skills were not just about learning a craft, they were about building independence. Women who once had no reliable source of income now produce beautiful, high-demand products, from beaded jewelry to handcrafted handbags.
Economic empowerment was a key goal, and the results are already taking shape. Twenty-one women now actively sell their products at local markets, while two have secured steady orders for weddings and special events. The project aimed for a 40 percent increase in monthly income within six months, and with participants already generating income, that goal is well within reach.
For single mothers, financial struggles are often compounded by emotional burdens—self-doubt, anxiety, and the weight of societal judgment. Recognizing this, the project integrated mental health and emotional intelligence training to help participants rebuild their self-worth. In structured reflection sessions, women shared their challenges and victories, supporting one another in ways they had never experienced before. The impact was undeniable—80 percent of participants reported improved mental well-being, and many displayed newfound confidence by delivering speeches at the project’s graduation ceremony.
One of the most powerful moments came from a participant who declared: “We thank GPW and Jamar Health Foundation for giving us a better way to spend our time instead of just being unemployed women. Now, we have something of our own. We are businesswomen.”
To ensure long-term success, the initiative is encouraging the women to form savings groups, business mentorship circles, and expanded market linkages. These steps will help participants not just maintain their businesses but grow them into lasting sources of financial stability. When women are given the tools to succeed, they do not just uplift themselves, they uplift entire communities. This is the kind of accelerated action the world needs to drive gender equality and empowerment forward.
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, this project stands as a statement of what is possible when we move beyond conversations and take bold steps to empower women. The single mothers of Hayin Dan Mani are no longer waiting for change. They are creating it—one bead, one bag, and one business at a time.
Learn more about GPW’s work in empowering Women and Families in Peacebuilding. Together, we can build a world where peace truly begins at home.
