About the PoliServe Dialogue

PoliServe Dialogue: Empowering Rural Women on International Day of Rural Women

The PoliServe Dialogue is an annual initiative held on October 15 to commemorate the International Day of Rural Women. This impactful platform bridges the gap between rural women and influential government officials and business leaders who shape policies and craft solutions that affect their lives, ensuring that these women’s voices do not just inform decisions but actively drive change. It provides a unique opportunity for rural women to candidly share their challenges and needs, while stakeholders work alongside them to co-create actionable solutions. Far more than a discussion forum, the Dialogue serves as a catalyst for meaningful, tangible actions that bring real, lasting impact to the lives of rural women.

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Objectives

Amplify Voices:

Give rural women a platform to share the challenges they face in business, livelihoods, and personal security, particularly as it concerns Gender-Based Violence

Engage Stakeholders:

Educate key stakeholders on the specific barriers rural women encounter and the larger economic impact of these barriers.

Co-create Solutions:

Facilitate collaboration between rural women and stakeholders to develop actionable solutions for financial access, digital inclusion, business formalization, climate change and gender based violence among others

Rural women play a crucial role in their communities as farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs, yet they often face a multitude of challenges. These include:

  • Limited Access to Financial Services: Many rural business women struggle to access banking and credit facilities, hindering their ability to grow their businesses.
  • Business Registration Barriers: The complexities and costs associated with business registration prevent many from formalizing their enterprises.
  • High Costs of Technology: The high cost of smartphones limits their ability to engage in digital markets and access information.
  • Gender-Based Violence: Rural women frequently encounter violence, which further exacerbates their challenges.
  • Exclusion from Government Programs: Many women are left out of essential government support initiatives.
  • Inadequate Healthcare: Access to healthcare remains a significant issue, impacting their overall well-being.
  • Climate Change Impact: The severe effects of climate change threaten their livelihoods and food security.

Despite their invaluable contributions, rural women often feel invisible and disconnected from the systems designed to support them.

A Platform for Collaboration and Action

The PoliServe Dialogue seeks to change this dynamic by facilitating direct collaboration between rural women and influential stakeholders, including government officials, corporate leaders, and non-governmental organizations. This initiative is structured to drive actionable outcomes by focusing on:

  • Financial Inclusion: Developing solutions to increase access to financial services for rural women.
  • Business Formalization: Helping women navigate the registration process to formalize their businesses.
  • Healthcare Access: Addressing the healthcare needs of rural women through community-based programs.
  • Climate Resilience: Collaborating on initiatives that enhance resilience to climate change impacts.
  • Digital Inclusion: Ensuring that rural women have access to digital technologies and the internet, enabling them to engage in the digital economy and improve their livelihoods.

At each Dialogue, stakeholders commit to concrete follow-up actions that directly address the challenges identified by rural women, transforming conversations into measurable change.

PoliServe Dialogue

Driving Results and Lasting Change

This initiative is driven by results. Every PoliServe Dialogue leads to real, measurable impact, featuring clear commitments from stakeholders and a well-defined roadmap for implementation. Through sustained partnerships and ongoing follow-up, PoliServe ensures that the voices of rural women are not only amplified but also translated into lasting change within their communities.

Join Us in Igniting the Power of Rural Women

By participating in the PoliServe Dialogue, stakeholders play a vital role in igniting the power of rural women and fostering sustainable development. Together, we can bridge the gap between rural women and the resources they need to thrive.

Feedback from Stakeholders

Adekemi Omole
Adekemi OmoleGender and Inclusion Lead Policy Innovation Centre
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“A woman stood before us, and as she spoke, her words felt like the release of a burden she had carried alone for too long. She shared her journey, escaping Boko Haram, witnessing her home demolished, and, in the aftermath, being abandoned by her husband, left to care for her four children alone. Her tears fell, not in search of sympathy, but with a quiet intensity, as though life itself demanded their release. And though they poured, she remained unbroken, refusing to let her situation consume her. Listening, I felt tears well up in my own eyes. In that moment, I was reminded of the heart of our work as gender and inclusion practitioners. We often use terms like "gender analysis" and "needs assessment," yet sometimes lose sight of the person beneath the statistics. Stories like hers remind me that our work must truly understand the lived reality behind each number. Only then can we create programs and designs that honour the people we serve, in all their strength and vulnerability, Well done on the great work.”
Uche Enyioha
Uche EnyiohaEnhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA)
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“The experience was truly invaluable. Hearing the stories and experiences of these women helped me realize that in order to comprehend and address the challenges we encounter as a society, we must look past the statistics. It's not just about numbers, it's about solving real issues, no matter how localized they may seem. It's about touching lives, even if one person at a time”
Ajibade Bello
Ajibade BelloEntreprise Segment, 9 Mobile
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“It was a great opportunity to associate with your organization in the just concluded engagement session.The forum gave us the opportunity to hear directly from our customers their challenges and we have taken the steps to assist with resolution. As promised during the session, we are available to train the rural women on e-commerce and upscaling their business using digital presence”
Abeng Lucky
Abeng LuckyCommonwealth Study Conference Alumni, Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network
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“Thank you for putting together the Poliserve dialogue to mark International Rural Women's Day. For us at Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation, women and girls are top priority on our climate change and Just energy transition interventions through innovative advocacy, capacity building and research work. We were impressed with the diverse level of stakeholders at your policy dialogue which further validate the importance of building strong synergy amongst state and Non-state actors. We welcome with excitement your proposal for further discussion with our team to see areas of mutual benefits, and we are interested in exploring these options with your team”
Nkiruka Aliri
Nkiruka Aliri9 Mobile
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“The discussions were highly engaging, insightful and productive.The women’s issues were thoroughly listened to and discussed. The topics were very relevant and directly addressed key issues impacting women’s economic opportunities. Overall, the event was extremely valuable and worthwhile”
Irene Ewa
Irene EwaRepresentative of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs
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“This is the NGO we would like to partner with. As a national body, representing the government, we want the rural women; their voices to be heard. It will give them a sense of belonging and will also let them contribute to national development”
Imade Bibowei- Osuobeni
Imade Bibowei- OsuobeniExecutive Director, Tech Herfrica
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“PoliServe Dialogue simply wants to bring women from underserved communities in the same room with the stakeholders from government and private sectors that create solutions for them. We aim to spark conversations that highlight their challenges, highlight their needs, and get the government and business leaders to create solutions that meet those challenges and make their lives better for it.”
Chinasa Collins-Ogbuo
Chinasa Collins-OgbuoEnhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA)
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“I am not passionate about financial inclusion. I am passionate about how financial inclusion can help Halima, whose husband didn’t want her to start a small business, grow it to sustain her family.I am passionate about how financial inclusion can empower Ruth, whose husband absconded and left her with three children, to have a means of livelihood that she can expand and afford to fend for her children as a single mother. I am passionate about the tremendous possibilities that can be achieved when a woman is financially included and economically empowered.Today, I spent a significant proportion of my day with some very important women. They are important not because of their privileged accomplishments or high-level status in society but because they are why I do the work I do at EFInA . They are the financially and socially disadvantaged women in society, the women I care about, the women EFInA cares about, and the women we should all care about.Thank you, Tech Herfrica , for the privileged opportunity to be in the room with these women, for giving them the uncommon chance of direct dialogue with the people who need to hear them, and for celebrating their unique societal status as rural women—because of you, they were seen, and they were heard”
Patience Ukange
Patience UkangeThe Confident Woman
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“The dialogue was mostly engaging and informative. The topics touched on important aspects and some key issues were discussed. The event was very valuable as it was a good use of my time with important insights:”
Olanrewaju Alaka
Olanrewaju Alakafounder of Laerryblue Media
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“Today, we have a couple of stakeholders present at the event, ranging from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to different institutions coming together to support the rural market women, to ensure that they are well served and their voices are heard. And also, to ensure that they are able to feed their families and create a greater impact in society.”
Angonimi David-Imeh
Angonimi David-ImehExecutive Director, Hope Raisers Global Foundation
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“Once we can meet with the action points up to 75% in the next 6 months we must have done exceptionally well. Usually the action points execution stage are where such programs fail but I believe with the structure set up by Tech Herfrica, PoliServe Dialogue post event should be scored on a 95.5% owning to the progress we shall be making in the coming weeks and as we anticipate a scale up in 2025 event with visible testimonials from participants”
Samuel Ayimoro
Samuel AyimoroChief Technical Officer, Orbeets Digi-Tech Solutions
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“I am immensely proud to be a part of the PoliServe Dialogue. This annual initiative is more than just a platform; it is a transformative force that empowers rural women by ensuring their voices are not only heard but are pivotal in shaping policies and solutions. Being involved in this program has allowed us to witness firsthand the profound impact of collaborative efforts between rural women, government officials, and business leaders. We are committed to continuing our support and leveraging our technological expertise together with Tech Herfrica and all other stake holders to drive meaningful, lasting change for these incredible women. The PoliServe Dialogue is a beacon of hope and progress, and we are honored to contribute to its present and future successes.”
Rural Women Rep from Mpape Community
Rural Women Rep from Mpape CommunityBeneficiary
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"Other NGOs will come and promise us, and they won't do anything. Today, you have come to talk to us, and the things you are saying, you are doing them immediately and making plans for the ones you cannot do now. We are very happy"
Rural Women Rep from Sabon Kuchinguoro
Rural Women Rep from Sabon KuchinguoroBeneficiary
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"I never thought I will ever be in a room like this. They are talking to us and listening to us and teaching us and telling us how to do many things that are important to us. We are really happy."
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The maiden edition which held on October 15 2024 saw 124 stakeholders in attendance, including 63 rural business women from seven communities in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria and representatives from the public and private sector, such as Ministry of Women’s Affairs,Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Capital Territory Inland Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), UN Women, Madiba Foundation, 9Mobile, Fidelity Bank, EFiNA, Policy and Innovation Center (PIC), Growth for Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (GSAI),Eco Steward Humanitarian Foundation, Bilaad Development Trust, YALI (Abuja Network), Beyond the Classroom Foundation, Radiant Futures Limited, Aziza Development Foundation, Project Mend and FIST Africa, among others. Solutions were co-created.

The event was implemented together with our technical partners, who were also in attendance. View our amazing technical partners in the buttom scroll bar.

PoliServe Dialogue brings rural women, stakeholders together

Technical Partners

2024 PoliServe Dialogue

Videos from the PoliServe Dialogue

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Pictures from the PoliServe Dialogue

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Download 2024 Dialogue Report

Read about the 2024 dialogue, discussions, findings, commitments and action plan.
Download Dialogue Report

Download 2024 Dialogue Progress Report

Discover the progress we are making in implementing the dialogue action plan.
Download Dialogue Progress Report

Committees

Our Committees ensure that discussions at the dialogue drive meaningful, lasting change in the lives of women.

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