THE Carmelite Women Welfare Initiative (CAWIN) has announced plans to deepen its support for female inmates in custodial centres across Nigeria.
The Executive Director of CAWIN, Rev. Fr Jude Isiguzo, made this known on Monday in Enugu during a four-day capacity building workshop for the organisation’s board, management, and staff.
Formerly known as the Female Inmates and Returned Citizens (FIRC) Multipurpose Cooperative Society since 2020, CAWIN is technically supported by the Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organisation (CAPIO) and funded by Misean Cara, an Irish mission support agency.
Isiguzo explained that the workshop aims to strengthen CAWIN’s institutional framework as a registered entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
It also seeks to articulate the organisation’s mission and vision and to develop a strategic plan for 2025–2029.
He noted that the workshop would result in a comprehensive strategic document that outlines CAWIN’s future direction, including clearly defined goals, objectives, and practical activities.
“CAWIN is an organisation focused on the welfare of female inmates, led by formerly incarcerated women who are passionate about transforming their negative experiences into positive change.
“Our aim is to create an inclusive and safe platform for all female inmates and returned citizens, including foreign nationals in custodial centres.
“We seek to empower, reform, and reintegrate them into society, despite the challenges of discrimination and stigmatisation,” he said.
He noted that over the years, CAWIN’s work and research have revealed a persistent lack of sanitary materials, especially sanitary pads, in custodial centres.
“To address this, we train female inmates to produce reusable, homemade, and comfortable sanitary pads.
“Many female ex-inmates affiliated with CAWIN have also been trained to make bar soap, liquid soap, detergent, and liquid deodorants. These items are donated free of charge to inmates and also sold by ex-inmates to earn a livelihood”.
Isiguzo added that CAWIN provides educational support grants to children of indigent female inmates and ex-inmates to prevent school dropouts.
He said the organisation offers additional support for those interested in learning a trade or skill.
He noted that prior to its current plans for expansion, CAWIN had already implemented programmes in custodial centres across seven states: Niger (Suleja), Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, and Plateau (Jos).
“Technically, any female inmate or ex-inmate is considered a member of CAWIN, but we currently have about 50 active members.
“Regardless of tribe, religion, or background, these women deliver welfare services and work to improve the experience of incarceration across the country.
“We are actively seeking more funding to expand our reach and impact. Our goal is to ensure that every female inmate feels seen, supported, and included, even while behind bars,” he added.
