From July 18th to 20th, 2024, the Mimijane Foundation for Women and Children with Disabilities hosted a transformative three-day vocational training program for women and girls with disabilities in Abuja. This initiative, supported by the Urgent Action Fund Africa, aimed to equip participants with entrepreneurial skills to foster economic independence and resilience.
Amb. Beatrice Awala Mube, Founder and CEO of the Mimijane Foundation, kicked off the event with inspiring opening remarks. She highlighted the program’s core objective: to build the entrepreneurial capacity of women and girls with disabilities. Drawing from her personal journey, Amb. Mube shared her experiences with soap making, perfumes, and air fresheners.
“I saw an opportunity to be trained by a missionary, and even though I am a civil servant, I seized it,” she recounted. “I opted for weekend classes, extending a six-month course to twelve months. The journey was challenging but immensely rewarding. Today, I supply hotels with products made in my kitchen.”
Acknowledging the myriad challenges faced by women with disabilities—such as transportation difficulties and societal attitudes—Amb. Mube urged the participants to persevere. “In Nigeria today, times are hard. Being a woman places you as a second-class citizen, and being a woman with a disability puts you in an even more critical position. Your voice is often unheard, and your opinions don’t count,” she said. However, she encouraged them to take their endeavors seriously, emphasizing that adding value to oneself can transform one from being a liability to an asset within their families and communities.
“Your family will love and respect you when you have something productive to do. Start small and work hard, and surely you will grow,” Amb. Mube advised. She explained that the event aimed to provide participants with insights and skills to rebrand their businesses and develop strategies for economic empowerment.
The program featured several expert sessions, including one by MaryJane Ujunwa Okeke, CEO of Mjcharis Fashion World. As a successful fashion designer with a disability, Okeke shared her journey, offering practical strategies for succeeding in the fashion industry despite the challenges posed by disability. Her session was filled with examples and real-life experiences, providing invaluable insights to the participants.
Another highlight of the event was a virtual session led by Dr. Dotun Akinseinde, a Global Entrepreneurship Bootcamp Alumni from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA. Through Zoom, Dr. Akinseinde guided the participants in entrepreneurship development, using their case studies to address business challenges and explore strategies for improvement.
Agatha Ola Egwu, CEO of Stepholagold Enterprise and a woman with a disability, conducted an engaging session on bag making. She detailed the processes involved, the challenges faced in the business, and strategies for overcoming these obstacles to achieve success. Her practical insights were greatly appreciated by the participants.
The training culminated in a hands-on session led by Amb. Beatrice Awala Mube, focusing on the production of liquid soap, air fresheners, and izal. This practical training allowed participants to apply their newfound knowledge and skills, reinforcing the lessons learned over the three days.
The Mimijane Foundation’s vocational training program stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for women and girls with disabilities in Abuja. By providing them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in entrepreneurship, the foundation is helping to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable society.
