… reviews existing initiatives.
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The New National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Plan recently held its Panel Discussion in Jos, Plateau State capital.
While explaining the National WEE Policy, the Director Planning Research Statistics in the Ministry of Women Children and Disabled Communities Kano State, Yakubu Muhammad, disclosed to newsmen shortly after the panel discussion that, the new policy is aimed to establish coordinated efforts from the federal to local levels, providing a unified approach that directs resources more efficiently.
With coordinated budgeting and a clear policy alignment, funds can be better allocated to address specific policy goals, thereby yielding more cohesive results.
He said, the National Women’s Council, which is held annually, serves as a platform to enhance policies, review existing initiatives, and address issues impacting women.
It generates frameworks that are then presented to the government for action across all levels – at the federal level as well as engagement with state governments it ensures policy domestication nationwide.
As the policy’s blueprint, it guides interventions for government and partners across the private, public, and social sectors, empowering every Nigerian woman, regardless of her location or circumstances, to be economically self-reliant and meaningfully contribute to national development,” he stated.
According to him, with a focus on advocacy, the strategic plan of action supports robust efforts to ensure policy objectives are met.
The director revealed that, he also serves as the Secretary and Technical Officer of the Committee, which one of the key points is the emphasis on demonstrating the women’s policy through empowerment and economic development.
“Before discussions around a dedicated women’s economic policy began, the current administration introduced a blueprint focused on women’s empowerment as a means to break financial barriers for both urban and rural women.”
Yakubu Muhammad stressed that, “By what I call ‘divine intervention,’ the idea of a domestic and international women’s policy took shape, and Kano State promptly established a committee to act on it, representing all stakeholders with a vested interest in women’s economic issues.
“We have taken a collaborative approach, engaging CSOs, private sectors, and even traditional rulers. These leaders are close to the people and can champion the need for a women’s economic empowerment policy without barriers,” he said.
He added that, “Implementation is often the challenge in initiatives like these, and to ensure sustainability, we have set specific boundaries for implementing this new policy and are conducting a situation analysis to guide the domestication process.
“By involving critical stakeholders, such as traditional and religious leaders, we are building a solid foundation for success in the domestication efforts. Policy is a game changer for women’s development in Nigeria,” he stressed.
The director acknowledged that, “Women’s empowerment positively impacts children, the vulnerable and, ultimately, men as well. What sets this policy apart is its comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach, covering sectors such as financial inclusion, agriculture, economy, procurement, and social services.
“This integrated focus is crucial because efforts to empower women often operate in isolation, leading to fragmented results.
The National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Plan, the National WEE Policy was launched in May 2023, serves as a roadmap for improving Women’s Economic Empowerment in Nigeria.
“It arms to reduce gender inequality in accessing economic opportunities and resources, supporting women’s participation in the economy to drive national growth,” Yakubu Muhammad stated.
Also speaking, Mrs Fifemo Oshikonlu, who is founder and CEO of Eden Venture Group, said they are collaborating with the Albright Stonebridge Group to amplify communications around the domestication efforts being carried out nationwide.
According to her, “The practical ways to average the support of the policy is through advocacy, and that is exactly why we are here, and we want people to understand the importance of learning about the policy, how it impacts them, their communities, and the nation at large.
“Sharing this information with family, friends, and communities is crucial because civic awareness empowers individuals to understand their rights and engage with the government to uphold them.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone across the country is informed, educated, and strengthened by the knowledge of a policy that can be domesticated and implemented for the benefit of all women and men nationwide,” she stated.