The federal government, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and other stakeholders on Friday, held a multi-sectoral engagement to advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls in Nigeria.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye called for a collective commitment to addressing the challenges and barriers that hinder gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country.
She said the meeting which had representatives from diverse sectors, including donors, development partners, civil society organizations, and knowledge-based stakeholders was a testament to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to catalysing positive change in the lives of women and girls across our nation.
The meeting, the minister noted, will provide a platform for direct engagement between stakeholders and the Ministry added that “Your insights, expertise, and perspectives are invaluable as we work together to develop strategies and initiatives that will drive meaningful change in the lives of women and girls across Nigeria”.
In his remarks, a representative of the UN-Women, Dr. Chukwuemeka Onyimadu promised active collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to advance the course of women and girls in Nigeria.
Onyimadu said the engagement is targeted at how to improve affairs of women and girls in the country, stating that, there is importance in coming together to share ideas on how to tackle challenges bedeviling women.
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Onyinye Belinda Ndubuisi of the Gender and Human Rights Programme of the UNDP on her part, said knowledge-based collaboration would improve the situation of women in Nigeria.
Hassan Karfi of the Development Research and Project Centre, said they are committed to working with the Ministry of Women Affairs on areas of scholarship and women empowerment to enable them to demonstrate their skills.
Presenting a comprehensive agenda of the ministry for women’s empowerment and societal transformation, the Special Assistant to the Minister, Anne Onyia made a case for the empowerment of women at the grassroots in view of their contribution to the peace and security of the country.
She said the ministry has proposed an educational framework to address the challenges of illiteracy and out-of-school children at the grassroots by implementing comprehensive education initiatives focussed on skill acquisition and vocation.
The minister’s aide said, “By combining education with practical skills, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs strives to create a holistic learning environment by reducing the level of illiteracy and out-of-school children, empowering the girls and giving them a voice”.
According to her, the ministry will collaborate with the federal and state authorities to establish mobile courts to address societal offences.
The ministry, she noted will embark on community sensitization on the establishment of mobile courts through local channels and promotion of whistle blower and liaison with NGOs to organize existing women cooperative societies into Women Affinity Groups.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE