The Federal Government has held a High-Level Multi-Sectoral Meeting with Donors, Development Partners as well as Civil Society Organisations in order to advance the cause of women and girls in the country.
In a welcome address at the meeting held in her office in Abuja today, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the quest for gender equality, political relevance as well as the fight against Gender-based Violence can only become impactful and realizable when Nigerian women are opportuned to gain financial independence.
This she said, can only be achieved when they are empowered with machines to enable them practice their skills, earn to cater for their families while also contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye therefore called on the Stakeholders to incorporate the provision of starter kits into all their women empowerment programmes with a view to aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration which is tailored towards giving Nigerians, especially women, children and the vulnerable, a new lease of life.
“Nigerian women need to be provided with tangible equipment after the training sessions by our Stakeholders to enable them commence production in all their areas of skill acquisition in order to become self employed and also entrepreneurial”, the Minister said.
Today’s meeting, she added, “represents a crucial juncture in our ongoing efforts to advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls in Nigeria. As we gather here, we are joined by representatives from diverse sectors, including donors, development partners, civil society organisations and knowledge-based stakeholders”.
While describing stakeholders’ contributions to the development of strategies for positive impact in the feminine gender as invaluable, Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed optimism that the meeting will provide the needed platform that will birth the desired change and transformation to advance the cause of women and girls in the country.
She further called for a streamlined communication and collaboration modality between the Ministry and its partners in order to foster the necessary partnership for the achievement of optimal results.
Earlier, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda called on participants to key into the mandate of the Ministry which is tailored towards giving Nigerians, especially women, children and the Vulnerable, a sense of belonging, in line with the policies, programmes and objectives of government.
While commending the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration for creating an enabling environment for the advancement of the cause of Nigerian women and girls, he urged participants at the Meeting to do an assessment of their performances with a view to making amendments in line with the Ministry’s mandate.
Also speaking, the UNDP Gender and Human Rights Programme Lead, Onyinye Ndubuisi stated that the meeting has created a significant opportunity for collaborative and holistic advancement in gender equality in Nigeria.
She thanked the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye as well as the Management and Staff of the Ministry for their dogged commitment to the cause of women, children and the vulnerable in society.
Signed
Mrs Grace Njoku
Head, Press and Public Relations
