20 August 2026 | Nawfia Community, Njikoka LGA, Anambra State
Women’s meaningful participation in community decision-making is essential to building inclusive, responsive and sustainable communities. Recognising this, the team paid a high-level advocacy visit on 20 August 2026 to Mr. Dan Okoye, President General (PG) of Nawfia Community, Njikoka LGA, Anambra State, a respected community leader and renowned champion of women’s empowerment.
The engagement provided an opportunity to learn from his experience in promoting women’s participation and creating inclusive spaces for community dialogue. As a community leader, Mr. Okoye has established a General Assembly as an inclusive platform that brings together different groups within the community, including youths, women’s wings, Umuada and men.
Reflecting on the purpose of the platform, he explained that as President General, the General Assembly provides a space where he can bring people together to discuss issues affecting the community and listen to different perspectives before decisions are made. This approach recognises that stronger community decisions emerge when diverse voices are given the opportunity to contribute.
A key message from the engagement was that women are not merely beneficiaries of community development; they are active stakeholders whose experiences, ideas and perspectives are essential to shaping community priorities and solutions. Their participation should extend to decision-making processes where they can influence policies, contribute to discussions and help determine the direction of their communities.
The advocacy visit also highlighted the importance of working with community leaders who are already championing inclusive practices. Supporting and strengthening such local leadership can help create sustainable pathways for women’s empowerment, inclusive governance and community development.
The engagement opened opportunities for continued collaboration and strengthened dialogue around creating more spaces where women and other community groups can participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives and communities.
When women have a voice in decision-making, communities become more inclusive, representative and responsive. Meaningful participation is not simply about being present—it is about being heard, influencing decisions and helping shape the future.
