Participants at a gender policy workshop have called on Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, to give women 40 per cent inclusion in his Green Economy Agricultural initiative.
This is to ensure equality and to enable them to contribute their quota towards boosting food sufficiency and security in the state.
They made the call at a Sensitization Workshop on the New Niger State Gender/ Strategy Implementation Plan for Gender Focal Officials of MDAs and Private Sector Groups organised by the state Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, in Minna.
The women lamented that they have been relegated to the background in every sector of the economy, despite their numerical strength compared to their male counterparts, especially in the area of agriculture.
In a paper presentation, the Policy Adviser of GIZ, Abu Ahmadu explained that the event was organized for relevant focal officials from both government and private sectors to create awareness at the various local government areas on the state’s gender policy plan, to protect women from all forms of biases.
He added that the gender policy plan was domesticated by the immediate past administration in the state since 2022.
He noted with dismay the disparities between the number of men and women in various categories of employment under the state government and even in the private sector, as a result of cultural and religious biases.
In his her address, the state commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Titi Auta said the gender policy plan was put in place to not only help in tackling gender inequality issues, but to attracting partners to partner with the state on gender activities.
She also explained that the current administration in Niger State is gender friendly and ready to carry women, including children and the vulnerable groups, along in its activities in order to empower and enable them contribute effectively in the society.