SDGs Student Council Applauds Canada’s Support For Women’s Empowerment

The Nigerian SDGs National Students Council has praised Canada’s efforts to empower women through the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project.

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the project aimed to promote gender equality and bridge gender disparities across the country.

It provided training, mentorship, and financial support to women-led organisations and advocacy groups dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and rights.

Additionally, the initiative engaged influential men and boys to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and foster gender-equitable social norms.

The National Coordinator, SDGs National Students Council, Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu gave the commendation while speaking to newsmen in Abuja after a courtesy and collaboration meeting with the Canadian Counsellor Head of Development Cooperation, Mr Arash Irantalab Tehrani and Development Officer, Development Cooperation Section at the High Commission of Canada, Josephine Obinyan, in Abuja.

Amb. Nwachukwu praised the Canadian government for its support for women’s empowerment in Nigeria.

Enhancing Women capacities

He said; “The contributions of the Government of Canada through the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project have been invaluable in strengthening women’s voices and leadership in Nigeria,

“The project’s focus on enhancing women’s capacities, challenging gender stereotypes, and promoting gender equality aligns with our own objectives and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on gender equality.”

Amb. Nwachukwu highlighted the importance of empowering women and girls in order to achieve sustainable development.

He said; “When women are empowered, entire families and societies benefit. Women’s empowerment is critical for reducing poverty, improving health, increasing economic productivity and promoting peace and stability.

“As students, we recognise the need to support initiatives that promote gender equality and challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices that hold women back.” 

Commendation

He also commended the implementing partners of the project, including ActionAid Nigeria, for their efforts in mobilising and supporting 100 women led groups in promoting gender responsive policies at state and national levels.

“Available data showed that the project’s partners positively impacted 7,150,153 women and girls including people with disability (PWD) across 24 States and the Fct in Nigeria, disbursed 178 grants to 153 Women led Organisations while the sum of #271,445,478 (250,637 CAD) was saved by 7,563 women through the village savings and loans Associations (VSLA) among other results and we hope to see a continuation of the project,” Amb. Nwachukwu explained.

The SDGs National Students Council pledged to collaborate with the Canadian High Commission and it’s Implementing partners in supporting women’s empowerment and gender equality in Nigeria.

“We have a critical role to play in sensitizing and mobilizing young people to support gender equality. We look forward to working with the Commission and it’s Implementing partners to create more awareness about the importance of empowering women and girls and challenging harmful gender stereotypes,” Amb. Nwachukwu stated.

Gender equality

He said that the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project aligned with the Nigerian Government”s commitment to gender equality as encapsulated in the Nigeria’s Strategic Roadmap on Plummeting Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and other relevant policies.

He stressed that the Canadian Government remained a key partner of the Nigerian government in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the country.

Mercy Chukwudiebere