Nigerian Women need to collaborate, integrate themselves into political machinery, put themselves forward for elections and remain undeterred in the pursuit of women’s empowerment.
Nigeria’s Minister for Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the “Nigerian Women’s Day commemorating 30 years of Progress, Resilience, Impacts and Renewed Hope,” ongoing in New York, organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as part of activities for the CSW 69.
“We know the problems. We’re going to collaborate, we’re going to partner. Thank God we know how to lobby, and we know how to trigger prosperity, but we’re going to work together to see that that is being done.”
The Minister stressed the need to have women contest for political positions to ensure an increase in the number of women in the nation’s National Assemblies whether they win or not.
She further charged Nigerian Women Leaders to learn to discipline their supporters while progressing, noting that women need to rise up to the occasion due to the dire need of change for Nigerians, especially children.
The Minister charged gender activists to move from activism, to real time political participation to achieve the much needed change and progress in the gender space.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim pointed out that on assumption of duty at the Women’s Affairs Ministry, she toured various states to understudy the scenarios of SGBV, abuse for women and children, reaffirming her determination to collaborate to ensure strong systems and structures, to protect women and children because though government can’t do it alone, it must put solid systems in place.
She noted that when women are empowered economically, they rise above the Sexual and Gender Based Violence rader and celebrated the progress made so far by Nigerian Women in various sectors.
“They say that in leadership we have not ascended, but we have. Tell me one country that would boast of eight MD’s of bank being women. Not many countries.
Since 2015, we’ve had a woman head our federal civil service. If you want something said, tell a man, if you want something done, send a Woman. We’re doing a lot to economically empower our women.”
To equip Nigerian women with the needed tools for wealth creation, she said that, it would be addressed educationally from the stem, roots and the bloom phase and through second chance education.
The Minister added that the Ministry of Women Affairs is also working with the Federal Capital Territory, to pilot The Women’s Agro-Value Expansion Programme (WAVE) to empower women in agriculture; while prospecting to collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the extractive industry, to empower Nigerian Women in the nano and small businesses who are not able to access funds to upscale.
“We look at different industries to see that women are participating. We’re not just at the lower level, already in every sector we’re leading. The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy; we’re going to work with to see that we celebrate our women, and we encourage them, empower them, our women in the creative space…” She added
Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring a better deal for Nigerian women through collaborations with all sectors of the economy.
“All I have is my commitment towards this place and I’m counting on all of you,”. She expressed the hope.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Maryam Kenshiro restated the Ministry’s determination to accelerate action to empower Nigerian Women, urging them to rise up to the challenge.
“For Nigeria, this event is more than just a celebration. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the pursuit of achievable and sustainable development.” Kenshiro said
The event features an array of Nigerian Women and Men from various sectors sharing their stories in various curated panels showcasing the power of Nigerian women, performances and exhibitions.
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