The Honorable Minister of Women Affairs Barr Uju Kennedy has solicited the collaboration of the Civil Society Organizations in the country to lend their voices to on-going coordinated and sustained drive to eradicate sexual and gender-based violent and empowerment of Nigerian women.
Speaking during a media brief in her office, Barr noted that “civil society organizations play a critical role in developing, monitoring human rights situations and implement strategies that promote peace and security in the society” she said
According to her part of the reasons why poverty is still an issue in the country is due to inability to unlock the full potentials of the Nigerian women adding that the average woman in our society is very industrious by nature as she copes with domestic chores and other external engagement to earn a living for the family.
Speaking further, she said, “when more women are empowered, it will not only make them supportive of their husbands, they will be more involved in productive ventures that will enhance the nation’s economic growth” she said.
She also told the media that part of her policy thrust include the introduction of Women Cooperative groups as part of measures to coordinate the women groups into forming Cooperatives and exposing them to skills acquisition programs that will unlock their potentials.
The Minister also emphasized on the need for Civil Society Organizations to advocate on how students could be empowered through skills acquisition training which will enhance the capacity on entrepreneurship skills and other business ventures.
Similarly, she said that talks have been initiated with the Honorable Minister of Education to integrate vocational training into School curriculum to enhance the capacity of school children to produce basic necessities such as toothpicks, cotton buds, computer programing, coding and other digital skills that will get them fully engaged and desist from all forms of criminalities.
She also recalled her commitment to the Women Affairs Ministry to sustain the fight against sexual and gender-based violence especially female genital mutilation which has received the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federal with additional support from the State Governors’ Forum being expected to provide all inclusive approach to the national push to eradicate these social vices which depreciates the morale and self-esteem of the Nigerian women in line with the Renewed Hope of Mr. President and solicited the support of the media to fight this scourge which will form part of achievements in her first 100 days in office.
Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, Fnipr, Fcai, KJW
Special Adviser to the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs
