In a recent interaction with journalists in Abuja, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality, despite the nation’s ongoing economic challenges. The Minister emphasized that empowering women remains a top priority, aimed at enhancing their economic status and enabling them to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and their families.
Kennedy-Ohanenye highlighted that women possess inherent talents and capabilities that, with the right support and an enabling environment, can be fully realized. She asserted that when women are empowered, they play a crucial role in achieving the country’s goals of poverty alleviation, job creation, reduction in school dropouts, early marriages, and combating sexual and gender-based violence.
Despite limited resources, the Ministry of Women Affairs has initiated several projects to change the narrative and support women’s development. These initiatives include providing access to funding, skill acquisition programs, and improved agricultural inputs to boost productivity. The Minister pointed to strategic efforts such as the Nigeria For Women Programme, which enhances partnerships with traditional rulers to support grassroots implementation of gender equality initiatives. Additionally, the Ministry has set up an e-commerce portal to facilitate access to funds and grants for women, supplied sustainable empowerment equipment to 15 states, and introduced high-yield rice and maize seedlings in various regions.
Kennedy-Ohanenye announced that the Ministry will continue to pursue innovative approaches and collaborate with stakeholders to fulfill its mandate. A notable upcoming event is a fundraising program scheduled for October, aimed at gathering resources such as agricultural equipment and skill acquisition tools to further empower women, particularly at the grassroots level.
The Minister called upon development partners, non-governmental organizations, and concerned Nigerians to support the Ministry’s efforts in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This collaborative effort is crucial for advancing gender equality and fostering sustainable development across the nation.
