State Commissioners of Women Affairs across the country converged on Abuja for a two-day workshop on the domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy (WEE).
The workshop, a testament to the power of collaboration, was jointly organised by the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. Its aim is to provide comprehensive guidelines for the domestication of the policy in states.
The National WEE was launched in 2023 with the aim of streamlining all gender policies and addressing disparities faced by women in accessing financial benefits and opportunities in various sectors.
The initiatives seek to enhance gender equality, reduce poverty, and coordinate efforts among development partners to promote women’s rights and empowerment in Nigeria. The policy also seeks to address Nigeria’s gender pay gap and women’s empowerment .
Seven commissioners from the six geopolitical zones, who attended the maiden launch of the domestication process, were those of Lagos, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna,Kwara, Borno, and Eubugu state. The aim of the 2-day forum is to ensure subnationals adapt and domesticate the policy as part of efforts to bridge the gap and enhance inclusion in economic opportunities.
The domestication process will be in phases, with the inaugural launch followed by eight additional states within the next few years.
Dignitaries, including the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy, The Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs, Hajiya Fatima Faruq, Director General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, DG, Maryam Babangida Women Development Centre, Hajiya Asabe Bashir Vilita, and many heads of prastatals from the federal ministry of women affairs, and the federal ministry of budget and national planning attended.
Expected Outcome
The Seven commissioners will form committees to review of the 2023 National WEE policy in their various states with the aim to adopt or adapt and then domesticate for the benefit of women in their various states
