The Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED) has called for a minimum of 30 per cent representation for women in Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) across Lagos State, alongside more inclusive lending models to strengthen grassroots women’s economic participation.
The call was made during a multi-stakeholders meeting held at NECA House in Ikeja, where government officials, community leaders, civil society actors and development partners deliberated on policy dialogue and practical strategies under HUFFPED’s Household Economic Strengthening and Resilience (HEAR) Project.
Project consultant, Mr. Adebusoye, said discussions at the meeting revealed persistent structural barriers limiting women’s access to economic opportunities, particularly in securing loans to expand their businesses.
“One of the things that came up clearly today is the issue of exclusion for many of our women,” he said. “There are significant barriers in accessing collateral to obtain loans for their businesses.”
He explained that many grassroots women are financially active but lack the formal requirements demanded by financial institutions, effectively shutting them out of credit facilities needed to scale their enterprises.
To address this gap, participants emphasised sustained advocacy to financial institutions to design more inclusive lending models that recognise alternative forms of collateral and group-based financing systems common in informal sectors.
Stakeholders also highlighted the need to strengthen financial literacy and adult education programmes targeted at grassroots women, noting that empowerment must go beyond access to loans.
“Financial empowerment is not just about giving loans; it is also about equipping women with the knowledge to manage resources effectively,” Adebusoye said.
The meeting further underscored the importance of leveraging grassroots governance structures such as CDAs and CDCs to deepen women’s participation in decision-making processes. Participants recommended a minimum of 30 per cent representation of women in the executive arms of these bodies across Lagos communities.
“If women are not represented at that level, it becomes difficult for them to influence policies and access opportunities,” Adebusoye said, adding that leadership experience at the community level better positions women for higher responsibilities.
In his remarks, HUFFPED’s Executive Director, Mr. Henry Adenigba, described the engagement as a step toward refining existing policies and strengthening coordination among stakeholders.
“What is new after this discussion is the inclusion of some of the new ideas raised today, particularly around structure and coordination,” Adenigba said. “We are enhancing what already exists in Lagos State by clearly identifying who will do what and when it will be done.”
He stressed that the HEAR Project does not seek to duplicate government initiatives but to complement them through improved monitoring and collaboration.
“It is not different from what Lagos State has done. We are boosting what the state has already put in place to ensure better coordination and improved livelihoods for women and girls,” he said.
HUFFPED’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Adekemi Adeyeye, highlighted partnerships and community buy-in as critical to sustainability. She noted that the organisation collaborates with CDAs and relevant government ministries while pursuing public-private partnerships for resource mobilisation.
She acknowledged funding support from the French Embassy for the meeting and commended the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs for its skills acquisition and enterprise programmes across the state.
Adeyeye also disclosed plans to intensify the use of social media platforms to bridge awareness gaps about available opportunities.
“A lot of these women are on TikTok and other social platforms. We intend to intensify our efforts so that more women can get to know these opportunities,” she said.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Tayo Oseni-Ope, Director of the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, urged HUFFPED to deepen collaboration with government structures by leveraging the Lagos State Single Social Register, which captures vulnerable residents across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs.
“Any agency that wants to do intervention must mine from the single social register. Once you are on that register, you are good to go,” he said, advising residents to obtain a LASRRA card and National Identification Number to qualify for interventions.
Oseni-Ope also recommended proper profiling at ward and local government levels, collaboration with the Agency for Mass Education to address literacy gaps, and stronger documentation of interventions, including the use of GPS mapping for transparency and donor confidence.
As the HEAR Project advances, stakeholders expressed optimism that improved coordination, inclusive policies and sustained advocacy would translate into tangible economic gains for grassroots women across Lagos State.
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