The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has assured the women of the Ministry of government support on turning house hold and workplace waste to wealth.
The Minister stated this while declaring open an empowerment workshop with the theme: “Unlocking Sustainable Future: Women Championing the Circular Economy” that took place recently in Abuja.
The Minister who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration is poised to ensure that all environmental challenges are tackled to reduce the impact on women who are mostly affected and convert waste to wealth.
Balarabe reiterated that the Ministry is actively expanding its approach to tackle other forms of waste, which includes food and organic waste that contributes to greenhouse emissions, electric waste, that demands safe and sustainable recycling practices which transforms such waste into valuable resources and economic opportunities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Ministry, Mallam Jonah Stanley revealed that the workshop was meant to educate women in the Ministry on their roles as managers of household waste and the health risks of unmanaged waste.
Mr. Stanley commended key Stakeholders, Directors and Women for honouring the invitation and support to ensure the success of the workshop.
Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, National Project Coordinator GEF-SGP, UNDP in her presentation during the workshop assured the Ministry of its organisation’s readiness to support the empowerment of women as champions of Circular Economy.
Some of the presentation at the workshop includes; Empowering women and girls as agent of change: Championing the circular economy for sustainable future, Gender Inclusive Plastic Waste Management: Practical Expression by GEF small Grants programme.
Others include, Principles and Benefits of embracing and implementing the Circular Economy: Women leading the way to Waste Management and Circular Economy, Waste to Wealth Opportunities for Women Empowerment : Overview of waste Management and Enterpreneurial.
Other papers presented were Plastic Pollution: Environmental and Health Impacts of water; A focus on women and vulnerable population, challenges , solutions and alternatives to plastic usage among others.
Highlight of the workshop was the demonstration of the usage of waste for clean and renewable energy by Engr. Mrs Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health ( PV&EH ) in the Ministry.
Mudasiru M A.
For: Head, Press and Public Relations Unit.
