Displaced Nigerian Mother Transforms Life Through Handbag Sewing Business

In the face of unimaginable tragedy and displacement, Safiya Musa found a lifeline through sewing. After losing her husband and two of her children to a violent raid in Kankara, Katsina State, Nigeria, she fled with her remaining children to a camp for displaced people in Jibia.

There, a UNDP training program in handbag-making gave her the skills and tools to start over. Now, she faces a difficult decision: should she return to her hometown or stay in Jibia to keep her fragile livelihood afloat?

The Impact of Violence on Northwest Nigeria

For over a decade, northwest Nigeria has suffered attacks, kidnappings, and village raids by armed groups known as bandits. This persistent violence has uprooted thousands of families and disrupted local economies.

Katsina State, which borders Niger, has felt the brunt of these conflicts. Life here just hasn’t been the same for anyone.

Safiya’s Journey to Jibia

Safiya Musa’s world changed in 2023 when armed bandits stormed her town of Kankara. The attackers wanted to kidnap the town head, but when that failed, chaos erupted.

Her husband was working on the farm, and her two youngest children, Umar and Maryam, were among the 20 people killed. After the attack, Safiya found her three surviving children in Batsari, but they faced another bandit assault there.

Eventually, they escaped to a displacement camp in Jibia. It wasn’t a smooth journey, but at least they were together.

Finding Hope Through Sewing

In Jibia, Safiya struggled to make ends meet. She took on whatever temporary jobs she could find to support her kids.

Her luck shifted when she got selected for a handbag-making training program run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Climate Security Project. This initiative aims to help women affected by conflict by offering vocational training and equipment for small businesses.

The Handbag-Making Training Program

In March 2024, the Climate Security Project trained 20 women in Jibia in handbag production. They also handed out sewing machines and materials to help them get started.

This program has changed the game for many women, giving them a steady income and a sense of independence. It’s not just about the money, either—it’s about having purpose again.

• Skills Development: The training taught women how to cut fabric, stitch designs, and make handbags.
• Economic Stability: Making and selling handbags has given these women a more reliable income.
• Community Support: The program created a community among the participants. They support each other, sharing both struggles and small victories.

The Challenges of Building a Business in Conflict Zones

The handbag-making business has been a lifeline for Safiya and others, but it’s not all smooth sailing. One of the toughest hurdles is scraping together enough money to buy materials.

When Safiya runs out of stock, she loses customers and income. On top of that, ongoing violence in the region keeps messing with market activities and sales.

Economic and Security Risks

As women in conflict-affected areas become more economically active, they’re exposed to new risks, like targeted kidnappings for ransom. Authorities really need to keep up with regular conflict and security risk assessments to spot dangerous trading routes, risky markets, and new threats.

It’s not a perfect solution, but this kind of proactive approach could make a real difference for these entrepreneurs’ safety.

Community and Government Support

To address the violence, the Katsina government set up the Community Watch Corps in 2023. This local security team relies on community members to gather intelligence and respond to attacks.

Officials say some areas are safer now, but plenty of families still feel uneasy about returning home. The fear hasn’t faded just because there are more patrols.

The Dilemma of Returning Home

For Safiya, the idea of returning to her hometown isn’t simple. She wants her children to reconnect with relatives and rebuild their lives somewhere familiar.

But leaving Jibia could mean losing the handbag business that’s keeping her family afloat. It’s a tough call, and honestly, there’s no easy answer.

The Future of Displaced Women Entrepreneurs

Safiya Musa’s journey shows the grit and determination of women in conflict zones. Vocational training and community support are helping these women rebuild their lives and contribute to the local economy.

But let’s be real—their success depends on continued help from governments and international organizations. Violence and economic instability aren’t going away overnight, and these women deserve more than just hope—they need real, ongoing support.

A Path Forward

To ensure the long-term success of displaced women entrepreneurs, several steps come to mind:

• Enhanced Security Measures: Regular conflict and security risk assessments help spot and reduce new threats.
• Access to Resources: Consistent access to materials and financial support keeps their businesses afloat.
• Community Engagement: Building a supportive community makes it easier for women to handle the ups and downs of running a business in conflict zones.

If you want to read more about Safiya Musa’s journey or the bigger picture of conflict and resilience in northwest Nigeria, check out Al Jazeera’s detailed report.