The Kwara State Government and the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin, have agreed to collaborate on the development, research and promotion of women economic empowerment in the state.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to the state, the Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Afolashade Opeyemi Oluwakemi
with the Director General of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, on Tuesday, disclosed that the purpose of the project was to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy in Kwara State.
It was reports that the MINILS is a Federal Government agency.
Aremu who was represented by Hajia Biliqis Alaya who is the team lead of the Research, Development and Project Center said that the National WEE policy was launched in December 2023 by the Federal Government as a stop-gap that guides investment in women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.
He noted that states like Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Plateau, Borno and Akwa Ibom have gone far in the domestication process, adding that Kwara State is next to strengthen and harmonise interventions aimed at improving the living conditions of women.
“On April 16, 2024, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies with support from the dRPC launched the domestication of the policy at the sub-national level,” Aremu stressed.
According to him, the project has identified areas where the Federal Government would invest to ensure women reach their potential in Nigeria, adding that the areas include agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, technology and financial inclusion.
He assured the Commissioner that MINILS and dRPC would support the domestication efforts to ensure that Kwara State maintains its position as the biggest supporter of women in Nigeria.
He remarked, “We call on the Honourable Commissioner to set up a committee comprising staff of the ministry and relevant ministries, the MDAs, civil society, women groups, and traditional and religious leaders to commence this process.
“We hope this opportunity that is designed to improve the living conditions of women in Kwara State will be utilised?”
In her response, Oluwakemi assured the team that the state government would key into the project considering the commitment of the government to improve socio-economic lives of the women.
She also maintained that the ministry would execute the requirements needed to put the project in place to promote women inclusion and engagement in productive activities.
“We all know that women are vulnerable in our society and we’re all aware that women have suffered in the past. Kudos to our women friendly governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is committed to women development.
“He knows that when you empower women, you empower the nation.
“Considering the roles of women in the society, our governor believes that women should not be limited to kitchen or the other room. He has given us the conducive environment to express ourselves in order to bring out the best in us. We’re happy and we’ll not disappoint him,” Oluwakemi insisted.
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