Founder of the SDGforHer Initiative Mrs. Hanna Ayilara Omon has called for sustainable solutions to address poverty, financial inclusion, and access to education, particularly for women and children.
Omon, during activities to celebrate the 2025 International Women’s Day, also called for a shift from mere discussions to tangible actions that yield positive results.
“Commitments have been made by various organizations, but what happens next? At SDG4I, we focus on hands-on, grassroots community impact. We need to ensure women are better represented in political decision-making, improve financial inclusion, and guarantee access to education for children, especially girls,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of women having access to loans and funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stressing that such financial empowerment is crucial for economic growth.
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According to Omon, SDG4I Initiative has impacted over 2,000 people, including 50 women and girls across the Middle East, in nearly two years of operation.
“We however need a proper structure where we can collaborate with government agencies to allocate funds for sustainable initiatives. While the government may not be able to reach every community, nonprofits like ours act as their legwork, ensuring aid reaches underserved areas.
“While partnerships exist with private organizations, they are often short-term and project-based. Many organizations engage in one-off collaborations that align with their corporate goals. However, we need long-term funding structures to sustain our initiatives,” she said.
She urged businesses to recognize the broader social impact of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effortts.