By Lizzy Carr
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 a 12-month period, participated through existing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and were equipped with skills in livelihood improvement, nutrition, and gender equity.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, CASCADE’s Gender Technical Officer, Ann Alberta Bot, said the SAA sessions provided a platform for women to engage in weekly discussions on addressing harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and promoting healthy family practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal attendance, and hospital delivery.
She added that the initiative also focused on economic empowerment and nutrition education to strengthen 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 for their communities”.
She said 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, which stands for 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 best practices aimed at improving community development.
Also speaking the Chairman of the Ward Development Committee Dass, Sama’ila Haruna, who is a gender champion commended the CASCADE project for reshaping community perspectives on gender roles, nutrition, and healthy practices.
“This training will change some of the narratives around nutrition and gender in our communities,” he said, urging women to continue promoting peace and positive cultural change in their homes.
