The Research and Advocacy Hub of We the People welcomed 3 delegates from the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative (IWEI), an organisation dedicated to women and children in Kano state, for a 3-day interactive and learning exchange at its Calabar office. The visit commenced on Monday, October 27th, and concluded on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025. The focus was on the visiting team gaining insights into the achievements of the Strengthening Women in Mining (SWIM) project, exploring legal empowerment strategies that encourage collective action and fostering grassroots leadership, along with We the People’s approach to community engagement and inclusivity. The delegates were particularly intrigued by We the People’s approach to organising and advocacy, gaining insights into the Rights Academy youth-led initiatives and other campaigns focused on anti-deforestation and the restoration of depleted mangrove forests.
An engaging exchange of knowledge among the staff and partners of WTP, the delegates, female community leaders, and several scholars from the Rights Academy held on the first day. During the discussions, critical questions were addressed, such as strategies and principles of grassroots leadership, how empowering individuals legally enhances leadership at the grassroots level, improve justice initiatives, and what community power looks like in action.
During the second and third days, field visits were conducted to mining host communities involved in We the People’s SWIM project dedicated to strenghtenimg the voices of women in mining communities. The team visited Akansoko and Akwa Ikot Effanga, two of the five mining communities in partnership with We the People. In attendance at the meeting were chiefs, youth leaders, women leaders and other members of the community. The meeting primarily centred on exploring the local governance frameworks and examining the impact of gender and age on leadership and participation, particularly concerning women. It also discussed various ways communities have come together to tackle injustices like illegal mining and pollution.
Mfamosing, a key community associated with Huaxin Cement Ltd, previously known as La Farge Africa Plc, welcomed the delegates on the third day. They were co-hosted by two other communities, Abiati and Mbobui. Discussions focused on the ways women are coming together to assert their rights, the obstacles they face in leadership roles, and the strategies being employed to overcome these challenges. Additionally, there was a thorough exploration of how communities are imagining a sustainable and inclusive future following the conclusion of the SWIM project.
Among others, the visit reinforced the collaboration between both organizations and the communities, while offering important insights on the SWIM project related to collective action, legal empowerment for women, grassroots leadership, and ultimately, fostering community strength and maintaining that strength to combat various forms of injustice.
