By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, at the weekend, reaffirmed commitment to women empowerment policies, financial inclusion, gender equality, access to education, equality in healthcare social protection and participation in decision making.
The governor spoke through the Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development Kaduna State, Hajiya Rabi Salisu at the inauguration of the committee NIPPS and dRPC held at Holiday Conference Hotel in Kaduna.
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Development in collaboration with with NIPPs and dRPC a meeting of core team members drawn from relevant stakeholders for the National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy
The Women Economic Empowerment policy (WEE) is aimed at promoting gender equality empowering women economically, socially and politically to have access to finance education, entrepreneurship and job creation, social protection addressing GBV and representation in leadership position and decision making.
According to her, members were carefully selected to domesticate the women economic empowerment policy in Kaduna state.
She said, “the team will take up this task to ensure that they make positive contributions towards the domestications of Kaduna State women empowerment policy”.
She pointed out that membership was carefully selected from organisations, religious and MDAs to be part of the team.
“The commissioner has confidence in you, however, all the committee members have responsibilities to deliver within the time frame of assignment.
“However, it is against this backdrop that the ministry is domesticating the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy which has been adopted and developed nationally,” she said.
She appreciated and commended the unrelenting efforts of partners, development research centre and technical support to make the programme a huge success.
In a goodwill message, a representative of Director Economic Semes (FMWA), Peter Nnabuike said that Kaduna State is the first to benefit from the support by the dRPC and NIPPs to domesticate WEE policy in Nigeria.
He said, “WEE is a necessity because it has come to bridge gender gap on landownership financial inclusion and it provides job opportunities and productive skills to women, they are at the receiving end when it comes to government and non government.
“Kaduna State is lucky in the whole nation to be the first, as to whom much is given much is expected,” he said.
The director urged the committee to bridge the issue of gender gap, “it is expected that the committee bridge gap running, owning of property and skills with actionable development plan.
“Kaduna State has a lot to do in order to maintain the first position while other states emulate,” he said.
In another message, the Director Partnership and Communication, dRPC, Hassan A. Karofi said the state and local government have citizens, therefore, they supported about eight states in the provision of the national institute to launch investigation drive.
He said, 49.7 per cent of Nigerians are women, “they are to be empowered for sustainable development and if the women are not given what they deserve to contribute to national development, Nigeria will continue to remain where it is. However, women are to be empowered,” he assured.
He said, “t i is a key for us to support women through Ministry of Human and Social Development for agreeing to partner with us. Kaduna State has been an attractive centre for investment that attracts other state to emulate and follow.
“Therefore, we cannot afford about 50 per cent population or abandon women in our society,” he said.
On her part, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Women Wing, represented by Rahila Bawa said that Kaduna State has two major religions, Christianity and Islam, adding that whoever educates a woman or empowers her, empowers a nation.
Rahila pointed out when a woman is empowered she will distribute it among her children and people around her will benefit, adding that generations that will come will also benefit.
“The Nigeria Economic Policy focuses on reform with defined policy priorities on providing social protection and restored micro economic activities in nation building.
