President Bola Tinubu has said that his government was committed to advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality in the country.
Speaking at the launch of Women Affairs Ministry’s Empower-Her: Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment and Fund-raising Dinner, the President emphasized that “As the President of Nigeria, I am committed to advancing the cause of women empowerment and gender equality in our dear nation. Don’t forget my mother was a great market woman”.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the President also stressed the importance of addressing challenges facing women.
The women’s initiative aimed at creating an enabling environment for women to fulfil their potential, received presidential endorsement as the President urged the government and private sectors to join hands and support the programme.
He noted the important role women play in agriculture, contributing over 70% of the labour force, and stressed the need for investment in agricultural training, access to land, and financial services for women farmers.
This, he stated, would increase their yield, improve livelihoods, and contribute to Nigeria’s food security.
Tinubu also highlighted health disparities affecting women and girls, with a focus on increasing access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
He said strengthening institutions, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and supporting women’s rural organizations were essential to ensuring women have access to justice and protection from violence and discrimination.
“We recognize the challenges women face with limited access to education and healthcare, gender-based violence and economic disparity. This is imperative for us as a nation to together to drive down development and create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed.
“Empowering women in agriculture must prioritize investment in agricultural training, access to land (This is critical) and financial services for women farmers.
“This will enable women to increase their yield, improve their livelihood and contribute to Nigeria’s food security. By doing so, we will unlock their full potential that will drive different economic growth.
“We must also address the health disparity that disproportionately affect women and girls. By increasing access to quality health care, education, and economic opportunities, we can empower them to control their health and well-being. Allow them to express themselves
“In our quest for justice and sustainability, we must ensure women have access to justice and protection from all forms of violence and discrimination, which requires strengthening our institutions, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and supporting women’s rural organizations.
“It is in view of this that this Empower-Her initiative solidly deepens the vision we have for our country. We must empower women, not just for their sake, but for the sake of our entire nation. When we have empowered families, communities are viable.
“I call on us both in government and private sector to join hands and support and promote Empower-Her initiative, which has created an enabling environment for every woman in Nigeria to fulfil her potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
“To the women of Nigeria, I say this, your voice matters, your talents are invaluable and your potential limitless, stand tall, speak out the future of Nigeria lies in you, to build a Nigerian where every woman”, he said.
Earlier in his speech, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, emphasized the importance of empowering Nigerian women.
In an address read on his behalf by UBA’s CEO, Oliver Alawuba, Elumelu lauded Tinubu’s leadership in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.