Northern Pulse: IWD Commemoration: 83 women find relief from cooking costs, health, environmental risks in Kaduna through PACE Programme

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

83 women in Chikun LGA of Kaduna state, have received energy-efficient cookstoves aimed at reducing cooking fuel costs, improving health and supporting climate action in vulnerable communities.

The Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) Programme is supporting the distribution of energy-efficient cookstoves to women in climate-affected communities in Kaduna State through its consortium partner, Bridge That Gap Hope for Africa Initiative (BTG).

The, distribution formed part of activities marking the International Women’s Day 2026.

It was organised by Bridge That Gap Hope for Africa Initiative (BGT), under the Women Empowerment and Climate Resilience Initiative (WECRI) project.

The project is supported by the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) programme funded by the UK government and implemented in Chikun, Zangon Kataf and Zaria LGAs of Kaduna State.

Deborah Samuel, a resident of Gbagi Villa and one of the beneficiaries, said the intervention would ease the financial pressure she faced daily in cooking for her family.

Samuel explained that after her cooking gas cylinder was stolen, she resorted to charcoal and firewood which have become increasingly expensive.

She said she now spends about N1,000 daily on firewood, especially when cooking with large pots for her children.

According to her, the new energy efficient cookstoves would reduce the amount of charcoal needed and spare her the stress of constantly searching for money to buy firewood.

Samuel also said lighting charcoal often requires plastics or other materials that produce thick smoke harmful to the eyes, lungs and the environment.

She added that the training, on how to use the stove, taught her safer ways of igniting it using a small piece of paper, reducing smoke and health risks.

Samuel said she intends to share the knowledge with other women in her community facing similar challenges.

The initiative demonstrates how community-level solutions can contribute to broader climate resilience efforts while reducing deforestation and improving household livelihoods.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Salome Net, a beneficiary with visual impairmen said many households have abandoned cooking gas due to its high cost and now depend largely on traditional charcoal stoves.

She explained that igniting charcoal produces thick smoke that spreads through homes and even to neighbouring houses.

Net said although families know the smoke is harmful, they often have no alternative.

She expressed excitement about the cleaner cookstove and promised to encourage other women to adopt the technology.

Another beneficiary, Afiniki Ayuba, also described cooking with firewood as stressful and costly because of the smoke and difficulty of obtaining fuel.

Ayuba said she sometimes spends up to N1,000 daily on firewood but believed the energy efficient stove would significantly reduce the cost.

“With little charcoal of about N200, I can cook without inhaling smoke,” she said, adding that the stove could even be used indoors.

This intervention demonstrates how PACE supports locally driven solutions that strengthen climate resilience and reduce deforestation while improving household livelihoods.

Speaking on behalf of PACE programme and Bridge That Gap, Mr Zinta Apoko, Programme Officer of Bridge That Gap Hope for Africa Initiative, said the women were also trained on climate change and energy-efficient cooking practices.

Apoko said many women reported spending between N500 and N1,000 daily on cooking fuel, which could exceed N30,000 monthly.

He noted that the stoves heat faster, retain heat longer and reduce charcoal consumption, helping families save money while reducing environmental damage.

Earlier, a livelihood and market systems development consultant, Mr Sunny Zom, trained the women on how cooking habits affect climate change and household health.

Zom said adopting efficient cooking methods would reduce smoke emissions and protect women from respiratory problems caused by prolonged exposure to kitchen smoke.

Also speaking, the member representing Chikun Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Jesse David, described the initiative as timely and beneficial to women.

David said cleaner cooking technologies would reduce dependence on expensive gas and help address environmental challenges linked to charcoal production.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the cookstoves.

Salisu, represented by Mercy Madaki, Social Welfare Officer at the ministry, encouraged them to add value to the opportunity by using the stoves for household needs and small income-generating activities.