The Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development has inaugurated a 12-member committee to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy as part of its strategic realignment to improve the living conditions of women and girls in the state.

The committee’s inauguration in Kaduna on Thursday was led by Rabi Salisu Hajiya, the state’s commissioner for human services and social development. The 12-member committee is composed of diverse individuals, each bringing their unique expertise and perspective to the table.

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Docas Bintu Benjamin Tanko, emphasized the crucial role of the committee. She urged them to leverage their wealth of experience and work diligently with the terms of reference. Their task is to review and critically examine the National WEE policy, and recommend whether the state should adopt or adapt it. Their ultimate goal is to produce a Kaduna State Women’s Economic Empowerment policy that will serve as the state’s WEE framework.

‘’Kaduna State’s commitment to an inclusive society, gender equality, access to education, technology, and equal opportunities for the 50% of women and girls in the state is unwavering. This commitment underscores the importance of the committee’s task and the impact their work can have on the lives of women and girls in the state.’’ She added.

She then tasked the committee to ensure that they make positive contributions that will lead the state to be the first to domesticate the National WEE policy in Nigeria, adding that as a pacesetter and trailblazer, the state will work tirelessly until it is domesticated.

The committee’s members are drawn from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Innovation and Business Development, the Ministry of Human Services, civil society, academia, and faith-based organisations.

Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of the Gender Center of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic, Prof Linda Kwon-Dung, commended the Kaduna State government for keying into the domestication of the National WEE Policy as part of ongoing efforts to provide guidelines that will improve the living conditions of women in the state.

Composition of the WEE Policy Domestication Committee

The committee comprises Directors from the State’s Ministry of Human Services, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Business and Innovation, Civil Society groups, Media, Faith-based organizations and women-led organisations in the State. The Committee is headed by the Deputy Director Gender of the Ministry of Human Services, Mrs Lami Usman.

NEXT STEPS

• Committee work to begin by June
• Action plan developed to be followed thoroughly until the policy is domesticated
• Report of the committee to be submitted by the end of September