A total of 145 women from 15 groups in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State have graduated from the Social Analysis and Action (SAA) programme under the CASCADE project, implemented by the Development Exchange Centre (DEC).
The women, trained over 12 months through existing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), acquired skills in livelihood improvement, nutrition, and gender equity.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ann Alberta Bot, CASCADE’s Gender Technical Officer, said the SAA sessions provided a platform for women to discuss and address harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and promote healthy family practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal care, and hospital delivery.
She explained that the initiative also emphasized economic empowerment and nutrition education to enhance household wellbeing and food security.
“The SAA sessions aimed to challenge harmful norms by fostering dialogue, promoting healthy practices, and empowering women to take action in their communities,” Bot stated.
She noted that the beneficiaries are expected to step down the knowledge gained to other women in their respective communities to ensure wider grassroots engagement.
The CASCADE project—Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience—is being implemented across five local government areas of Bauchi State: Bauchi, Dass, Jama’are, Ningi, and Toro.
One of the beneficiaries, A’isha Abubakar of the Tsintsiya Women Group in Bundot Ward, said her family has embraced peace promotion, inclusive household chores, and other practices aimed at improving community development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ward Development Committee in Dass, Sama’ila Haruna, commended the project for reshaping community perspectives on gender roles, nutrition, and healthy living.
“This training will change some of the narratives around nutrition and gender in our communities,” he said, urging the women to continue promoting peace and positive cultural change in their homes.
