From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has said she would continue to advocate the entrenchment of gender equality and empowerment of women.
She stated this yesterday at the closeout and dissemination ceremony of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, and initiative sponsored by Actionaid Nigeria and Global Affairs Canada.
Represented by the Principal Social Welfare Officer, Olaile Olaniran Success, she said: “It is my pleasure to once again on behalf of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, appreciate ActionAid Nigeria and their implementing team for this key milestone and urge you all to further support the Ministry in fast tracking the achievement of her mandate of ensuring the entrenchment of gender equality, women empowerment and social inclusion in the country in line with Nigeria’s policy agenda and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda of leaving no one behind.”
Also, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the organisation had invested N 372,693,336.13 in touching the lives of over 1 million individuals in the FCT, including women, girls, men, boys, and Persons with Disabilities.
Mamedu said: “With a significant investment of 372,693,336.13 Naira, this project has touched the lives of over 1 million individuals in the FCT, including women, girls, men, boys, and Persons with Disabilities.
“This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and the unwavering dedication of all our partners, stakeholders, and community members, within a conducive working environment made possible by stakeholders.
“Together, we have made significant strides towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, and today, we celebrate the positive change that has been achieved through our collective efforts.
“As we reflect on our journey, it is essential to recognize the invaluable contributions of every individual and organization especially the partners involved in the implementation of the project.”
Meanwhile, National President of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim, solicited more funding for the advancement of the course of women.
Ibrahim said: “One of the problems associated with such a programme is funding, and for organizations that are doing well, the partners should consider increasing the funding for this project, because of the immense developments that have been achieved so far.
“Recently, the focal person in the person of the VP of the zone, Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche, was in Edo and Ondo. They held a township meeting with women groups for further increase in participation of men in politics.
“These two states will soon have elections. They went there, they partnered with the women and the response was immense.”
On women’s political participation, she said: “I think we do not need to reiterate the need for women to participate in politics.
“It is either you are a participant or you are just an avid person and life will be very difficult for us because democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and for women to get their rightful place they must participate actively in the political processes in Nigeria.”