In a passionate address at the 24th Session of the National Council on Women Affairs in Jos, Plateau State, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, urged stakeholders to unify efforts to drive forward the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy. The policy, which aims to empower women across Nigeria, was spotlighted as a crucial step toward creating equal economic opportunities and fostering national growth.
Speaking at a sideline meeting focused on the policy’s domestication, Ambassador Aduda emphasized that without coordinated action, efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment would remain unfulfilled. He described the WEE Policy as transformative, highlighting the need for all states in Nigeria to domesticate and implement it, enabling the benefits to reach women at the grassroots level.
“The WEE Policy is not just a document; it is a game changer meant to drive substantial progress in women’s participation across agriculture, industry, entrepreneurship, and leadership,” Aduda noted. “Implementing this policy builds an environment where women can thrive equally in all sectors.” He stressed that economic empowerment for women would help dismantle long-standing barriers to education, finance, and leadership—obstacles that have restricted women’s potential and slowed national progress.
Ambassador Aduda also called for creating frameworks and partnerships to ensure the policy’s effectiveness and reach. He encouraged Nigerian women to consider careers in politics to further amplify policies that support female advancement, asserting that the policy’s successful implementation would empower women to contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development.
Expressing gratitude, Aduda commended the Albright Stonebridge Group for its substantial support of the policy. He urged government agencies, the private sector, civil society, communities, and state delegates to join forces to ensure the policy’s successful domestication and implementation, especially in rural areas.
During the panel discussion, Mrs. Blessing Anunike, Director of Economic Services at the Ministry, pointed out that the WEE Policy fosters a multi-sectoral approach, paving the way for coordinated interventions aimed at meeting targets. She noted that the policy aims to provide an enabling environment for women’s active participation across sectors, including agriculture, entrepreneurship, and energy, in a bid to bolster economic empowerment.
The call for state-specific strategies was echoed by Mrs. Rinmicit Temlong-Aboki, Gender Lead at Albright Stonebridge Group, who encouraged state representatives to tailor policies that reflect local needs to achieve the WEE Policy’s objectives effectively.
Launched in May 2023, the National WEE Policy represents a beacon of hope for Nigerian women, aiming to bridge economic disparities and empower women to play an active role in Nigeria’s development.
