OVERVEIW

An inland state in southern Nigeria with a landmass of about 19,794 km2, Edo State has one of the richest cultural and historical heritages in the world. Home to the ancient Benin Kingdom, one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms, the Edo people has a rich history of the participation of women in shaping the society as they dominate economic activities as petty traders, hairdressers, dressmakers etc. The historic statue of Emotan in the heart of the market is a testimony to the role of women in commerce and governance in the traditional setting.

However, as cultural values gradually takes a back seat to male-dominated politics, women bears the brunt as the neglect of rural development and the ensuing poverty further pushes women to the fringes of the society as victims. Olere Women Empowerment Initiative is an intervention towards alleviating poverty and mainstreaming the voice and concerns in the governance and decision making process of local government administration.

Olere is from the word “Omonolere” meaning literarily “A child arrived well”. It is a recognition of the depth of faith and the amount of sacrifice that a woman is ever willing and ready to invest in her child at all times. It is a recognition of the industry, strength and compassion that drives the sacrifices a woman makes to ensure the preservation of her lineage, her culture, dignity and values, through not only her child and spouse, but also through her community. It is a recognition of the woman as a rallying point for community development and vanguard of progressive change as validated by testimonies from across the globe.

Olere is my name, given to me by my late grandmother, a strong woman who left indelible marks in the woman I became through the steel of her character, hard work and virtue that she instilled in me through discipline and compassion.

She was the one who taught me to hold my head high at all times so that I can always have a clear view of the future I want to see. She taught me to keep my heart open at all times so that I can remain open to learning and ready to embrace truth. She taught me to keep my hands open at all times so that I can always give because that way, I will never lack. Most importantly, she taught me the power of synergy for growth and development. That women can make the difference.