The Ruth Joseph-Audu Women Foundation is making remarkable strides in empowering women through hands-on business training. In its latest initiative, the foundation trained 33 women in shampoo production, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to create products suitable for both local and international markets. This training marks the first practical session of its kind, offering women the chance to acquire valuable entrepreneurial skills that can lead to sustainable livelihoods.
Ruth Joseph-Audu, the visionary director of the foundation, underscored the significance of this initiative, stating, “The essence of this training is to teach women how to be economically viable. This is the first skill we introduced to them in shampoo production, and at the end of the class, we produced a basin of shampoo amounting to about 50 litres.” The session was not just about production; it also emphasized the critical role of marketing, with attendees being introduced to strategies that would allow them to position their products competitively in the marketplace.
Joseph-Audu shared that some of the women received financial assistance to help launch their businesses, enabling them to scale up production and begin their entrepreneurial journey with confidence. The foundation’s support goes beyond technical skills; it also offers practical business guidance, including how to effectively package, brand, and market the products to appeal to customers both locally and abroad.
The Ruth Joseph-Audu Women Foundation is rooted in a mission to uplift women and empower them to break free from the cycle of poverty. “Our goal is to give women not just training, but the tools they need to thrive,” said Joseph-Audu. “We want to ensure these women have access to funding, mentorship, and the right market connections to succeed.” The foundation’s commitment to creating lasting change is reflected in its ambitious goal to empower at least 5,000 women each month. While the organization is currently operating on a smaller scale due to limited resources, its vision for the future remains grand.
“Our dream is to see their products on shelves, not just locally but globally. We are actively seeking partnerships with corporate bodies and organizations that can support us in achieving this vision,” Joseph-Audu explained. The foundation is calling on both the public and private sectors to get involved and collaborate in this transformative mission, which not only offers training but also focuses on creating an ecosystem where women can access the tools and resources they need to succeed.
By focusing on both skill-building and business acumen, the Ruth Joseph-Audu Women Foundation is paving the way for women to enter and thrive in industries that have traditionally been challenging for them to access. Through programs like this, the foundation is helping women turn their entrepreneurial dreams into tangible success stories. The foundation is also working towards ensuring that women have the right networks and support systems to scale their businesses.
Joseph-Audu’s words resonate as a call to action for the broader community: “We believe that when women succeed, families, communities, and nations succeed.” Through its innovative approach and unwavering dedication, the Ruth Joseph-Audu Women Foundation is playing a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive and economically viable future for women across the country.
