The Emerald Rose Women Foundation has begun training over 20,000 women across the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo State in various entrepreneurial and vocational programmes.

The beneficiaries are being trained in areas including digital literacy, event planning, soap making, food packaging, and human resources management, among others.

Speaking at the launch of the programme in Akure, the state capital, on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Ms Iwagun Faith, said the initiative is aimed at empowering young women and expanding their opportunities for growth and self-actualisation.

According to her, the programmes focus on skill acquisition, leadership development, emotional support, advocacy, and confidence-building for women’s empowerment.

“The foundation is positioned to address the social, economic, and psychological barriers that hinder young women from reaching their full potential,” Ms Iwagun said.

“We aim to equip young women with practical skills and knowledge, offer hope to the vulnerable, amplify the voices of the voiceless, eradicate stigma, and inspire girls to dream big and pursue their goals without fear or limitations.”

She added, “As for now, we can’t specify the exact number of women we will train because this is a continuous programme. We have begun the training, and 20,000 women will benefit in areas such as digital literacy, event planning, soap making, food packaging, and human resources management.”

Iwagun noted that the foundation was born out of a deep desire to build a generation of empowered, confident, and purpose-driven women capable of contributing meaningfully to society.

A major highlight of the event was the public presentation of a new book authored by Ms Iwagun, titled Reputable Woman and Her Lifestyle: A Woman’s Guide to Discovering Her Worth and Achieving Success.

She said the publication underscores her commitment to helping young women discover their value and navigate their path to success.