PADEAP opened the first inter-faith and multi cultural Women Adult literacy classes and monthly Health for All Programme in 2005. The programmes target the key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including Goal 3 Promoting gender equality and empowering women; Goal 4, Reduce child mortality and Goal 6, Improve maternal health targeting issues affecting the majority of women. The classes offered include the languages of Hausa and English, Mathematics, Health, and religious knowledge relating to Islam and Christianity. Our classes are now officially recognised by the Mass Literacy Unit which is run by Funtua Local Government.

The national literacy rate in Nigeria is estimated to be about 50-58% for males and 41% for females (a 17% gap). The gender disparities are more marked in the areas like Katsina state where only 34% of rural females are literate. The issue of literacy impacts on the ability for women to be in a position to engage and participate both in our activities but also at a wider community level. Women until now were unable to access literacy training as programmes were either targeted at men only or classes have focused mainly on religious teachings. Partnership between communities and learners was the main concept behind the Women’s Community Education Programme. The aim of the programme is to increase access to basic education particularly for women and girls a major challenge is to make primary education relevant.