Government Seeks More Partnership For Empowerment Of Women In Nigeria

The Nigerian government has called for more partnerships between it and the civil societies as well as the private sector to create a more inclusive economy where women can be adequately empowered for the benefit of all and the nation’s prosperity.

This call formed part of an address by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun at the opening ceremony of the 5th Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa, AFAWA Finance Series held in Lagos.

The Minister represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary/Director of Economic Research and Policy Management, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Grace Ogbonna, stated that women constituted a substantial portion of the population and their full and equal participation in the economy was not just a matter of social justice but also an economic imperative.

Mrs Ogbonna said it was in that regard that the government has committed to quality education, which is fundamental to women’s economic empowerment.

“The government has been working tirelessly to ensure that every girl child, woman, has the opportunity to receive an education that equips her with the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the modern economy. This includes initiatives to eliminate gender based disparities in education and finances, safe school projects for the protection of education from attacks for national development, an initiative implemented by the Federal Ministry of Finance”, she stated.

She further reiterated the government’s efforts at providing women with equal opportunities in the Labour market.

According to her, “Our policies aim to create a work environment that supports women’s participation and advancement. We have introduced legislation to promote pay equity and combat workplace discrimination. Additionally, we have established programmes to provide vocational training, career development and support for female entrepreneurs.”

Mrs Ogbonna also said financial inclusion was a critical aspect of women’s economic environment and noted that the government was committed to expanding access to financial services, particularly for women in underserved areas.

“Initiatives like microcredit programs, financial literacy training and affordable banking services are being implemented to ensure that women have the tools to manage their finances effectively and invest in their features.”

She however said despite taking significant steps by the government, more still needs to be done and therefore called for support and collaboration by relevant bodies stressing that it is a collective responsibility to ensure that women are given the tools, opportunities and support they need to reach their full economic potential.

The AFAWA Finance Series is an initiative of the African Development Bank Group in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund that brings together government representatives, policymakers and financial institution leaders to offer an introduction to AFAWA’s partnership services for the Nigerian market.

Olusola Akintonde