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In a world where gender equality remains an elusive goal for many, the need to support and protect women has never been more urgent. Every day, women encounter barriers that limit their access to essential resources like education, healthcare, and safety, with their voices often sidelined in key decisions that shape their futures. From tackling gender-based violence to ensuring equal representation in leadership, the call for swift and collective action is undeniable. The theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day, “Accelerate Action,” emphasizes the need for immediate steps to address the systemic inequalities and biases that persist in both personal and professional settings. According to the World Economic Forum, it could take up to five generations to achieve gender parity if current progress continues at its present pace.

In celebration of the 2025 International Women’s Day, we are proud to share the journey and impact of Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation’s transformative approach to women’s empowerment across Africa. We strongly believe that development organizations should tell their stories, as this can inspire others to take meaningful action. By collaborating with various partners in fields like entrepreneurship, healthcare, leadership, and safety, we have seen how critical it is to ensure stakeholders are well-informed about the progress we have made. This article highlights the significant contributions of our grantee organizations, showcasing their impactful projects and the positive results they have achieved in empowering women.

The African Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Nigeria has made remarkable strides with its Promotion of Women Entrepreneurship and Rights (POWER) Project. This initiative aimed to build the capacity of 1,000 women and youth aged 18 to 40 in Southeast Nigeria, specifically in Anambra, Imo, and Abia States. Over a six-month period, participants received training in financial literacy, business management, agricultural entrepreneurship, and digital skills. The project successfully trained 1,013 individuals, exceeding its initial target. Participants formed clusters for business support, and many initiated their own enterprises, applying the skills acquired during training. The project's social return on investment (SROI) was impressive, estimated at N59.6 for every N1 invested, indicating a substantial social value created through this initiative (AWEP terminal report, 2024).

In addressing child sexual abuse, The CeCe Yara Foundation launched the Prevent It Upscale Service Delivery project. This initiative educated over 3,510 children and adults on prevention strategies and provided comprehensive support services to 150 survivors of child sexual abuse. The foundation engaged key community leaders to advocate for protective policies and practices. Through its Safe Kids Awareness Program (SKAP), children learned about body safety and disclosure processes. The project not only aimed to reduce the incidence of abuse but also fostered a culture of safety and dignity for all children.

Postpartum Support Network Africa focused on maternal mental health with its "Feel Something Say Something" project. This initiative significantly increased access to mental health care for women dealing with postpartum depression in Nigeria. The project screened 3,139 women across four hospitals in Lagos State and trained healthcare professionals in emotional intelligence. Currently, 240 women are receiving therapy as part of this program. By raising awareness about postpartum depression and encouraging mothers to seek help, this initiative has improved maternal mental health outcomes across communities.

The Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF) tackled gender-based violence through its Gatekeepers’ Project. This ground-breaking initiative trained 200 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Ogun State as first responders to cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls. By increasing awareness among TBAs about recognizing signs of abuse and providing post-incident care to survivors, the project significantly improved reporting rates of gender-based violence cases within selected communities. WARIF's approach emphasizes grassroots engagement, leveraging the trust that TBAs have within their communities to facilitate better response mechanisms.

As evidenced in the HelpMum terminal report (2024), HelpMum has also made significant contributions to maternal and child health through its targeted interventions aimed at improving immunization rates among children. The organization focused on reducing misconceptions about vaccinations among nursing mothers while enhancing knowledge about clean birth kits essential for safe deliveries. By employing innovative strategies such as E-learning programs for health officials, HELPMUM has successfully increased immunization uptake among children and reduced forgetfulness regarding vaccination appointments.

The collective efforts of these organizations illustrate how targeted interventions can lead to substantial improvements in women's empowerment and community health across Africa. Each project funded by the ACT Foundation not only addresses pressing issues but also creates sustainable impacts that uplift entire communities. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it is crucial to recognize these initiatives as vital steps toward achieving gender equality and empowering women throughout the continent.

ACT Foundation remains dedicated to accelerating action for women's empowerment through strategic partnerships with NGOs that share our vision for a more equitable society. The projects highlighted here exemplify our commitment to supporting initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, enhance mental health care, prevent violence against women and children, and improve maternal health outcomes. Together with our partners, we will continue to strive for a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive without barriers or limitations.