On Wednesday at the last meeting of the executive council of the federation under President Muhammadu Buhari, the women’s economic empowerment (WEE) policy was approved.
The policy is the newest on women’s participation and inclusion in the country.
TheCable reported that the minister of women’s affairs, Pauling Tallen, announced the development on Wednesday after the meeting.
Tallen said the WEE policy was initiated to get women into the mainstream of the country’s financial plans and would also be used to drive gender equality, women empowerment, and poverty reduction.
According to the minister, the policy recognises cross-cutting enablers such as women’s financial inclusion (WFI), literacy, digital innovation, literacy, access, household, workplace, and community support structures.
“Its existence, and even more so, this strategy note, is a testament to the potential and power of coordinated efforts to deliver on our shared goals and aspirations – to see and live in a Nigeria where the rights of women, girls, and vulnerable persons are truly respected in all ramifications,” the minister said.
Tallen noted that Nigerian women face disparities in accessing financial benefits as well as in economic, political, and social spheres, in spite of their huge contribution in all areas of society and their population.
“If 50 per cent of the population is neglected, it means the country cannot develop optimally, it’s like a country walking with one leg,” she said.
The minister said the policy was a product of over one year of serious work of engagements and dialogue across the country and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for leaving a legacy behind.
“We’ve traversed the country, to the 36 states, having dialogues with the private sector, rural dwellers, to find the best way to empower women and get them into the mainstream of nation building,” the minister said.
“This has been a dream we’ve been pursuing, and finally, Mr President gave the stamp. It is a legacy that Mr President is leaving behind by approving this women’s economic empowerment to help get women into the mainstream of financial plans to ensure that women are carried along in nation-building”, she said.
