Sewuese Asa
Founder & Executive Director, SafeWorld Empowerment and Development Initiative (SWEDI)
Sewuese Asa is a seasoned Gender Development Specialist with over six years of experience in driving gender advocacy, community development, and strategic project planning. With a strong background in the Nigerian banking sector, where she managed corporate accounts and high-net-worth clients, Sewuese transitioned to humanitarian work in 2020, bringing her financial expertise to the development sector.
As the founder of SafeWorld Empowerment and Development Initiative (SWEDI), Sewuese is committed to advancing gender equality, environmental resilience, health, and education in marginalized communities. Her leadership has empowered over 500 women and smallholder farmers, strengthening climate resilience and fostering economic stability. Through advocacy and grassroots initiatives, she has reached more than 1,000 women and girls, addressing issues such as gender-based violence, menstrual health, and climate adaptation.
In her role at SWEDI, Sewuese has established partnerships with researchers and agronomists to promote sustainable agricultural practices, benefiting local communities and improving their ability to cope with the effects of climate change. She is also recognized for her strategic contributions to Women’s Rights to Education Programme (WREP) and Angel Support Foundation, where she has represented these organizations at high-level international forums, including COP26 and Arms Trade Treaty meetings.
Her work is not only limited to Nigeria but extends internationally, where she advocates for gender considerations in global disarmament policies and climate change solutions. Sewuese holds a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from Nasarawa State University, where her thesis focused on the critical role of smallholder women farmers in ensuring household food security in Nigeria.
Sewuese continues to leverage her expertise in gender-sensitive programming, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement to drive impactful change, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations.