By Blessing Bature
The Empower To Thrive Development Initiative in collaboration with Mimijane Foundation and Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), with funding support from the French Embassy Fund (FEF) for civil society organizations has announced the launch of Empower Her Ability, a program designed to empower women with disabilities to succeed in business.
The founder of Empower Her Ability, Dr. Ima Chima made the announcement on Friday in Abuja that the program is themed “No Limits, Just Possibilities,” and is designed to advance entrepreneurship and self-reliance among women with disabilities.
According to her, Empower Her Ability targets women aged 18-40 years living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It aims to dismantle both structural and attitudinal barriers by providing practical, long-term support across training, mentorship, financial inclusion, and policy advocacy.
Dr Chima explained that Participants will undergo hybrid (physical and virtual) training sessions designed to build practical business knowledge and entrepreneurial confidence. The training will cover key areas such as business development, financial management, marketing and sales, communication skills, leadership, digital visibility, and legal compliance. The sessions are designed to be inclusive and adaptive, providing real-world tools that support sustainable business growth.
She hinted that Empower Her Ability program is a timely initiative, given the growing need for women’s entrepreneurship and the importance of inclusivity in business. By providing targeted support and resources, Empower Her Ability aims to unlock the untapped potential of women with disabilities and create a more resilient and prosperous global future.
She emphasized the importance of creating a conducive ecosystem for women with disabilities to thrive in business. “We need to challenge societal stigma against people with disabilities and bring in government to support and make sure that the policies in place support people with disabilities in business,” she said.
Dr. Chima also highlighted the importance of policy engagement and community awareness in promoting inclusive economic policies and challenging stigma against people with disabilities.
The Executive Director, Mimijane Foundation, Mube Beatrice said Persons with disabilities are deliberately excluded from many schemes. Women with disabilities face even greater challenges. Being born a woman in Nigeria automatically makes you a second-class citizen, and when you have a disability, it becomes a triple tragedy. Even fellow women discriminate against you.
The Executive Director, Mimijane Foundation, Beatrice Mube commended the founder of Empower To Thrive Development Initiative for such initiative the Empower Her Ability program, which aims to economically empower women with disabilities in entrepreneurship.
According to Mube, empowering women in entrepreneurship has a ripple effect on the household, leading to overall economic growth and development.
Inthe same vain, a representative of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Emmanuela Jighjigh praised the Empower To Thrive Development Initiative for its timely intervention, noting that the Empower Her Ability program will provide critical support to women with disabilities who face unique challenges in business. The program’s focus on economic empowerment, mentorship, and advocacy for inclusive policies will help to promote the rights and dignity of women with disabilities, she added.
