FG, UN Women Collaborate to Enhance Women’s Empowerment
By Hadiza Abdulrahman
The Ministry of Women Affairs is collaborating with UN Women to enhance Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiatives, specifically focusing on Affirmative Procurement Reforms.
Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry made this announcement during a meeting with a delegation from UN Women at his office in Abuja.
Highlighting the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary emphasized limited access to capital, knowledge of available support systems, and intricate procurement processes among the key obstacles hindering their progress.
Ambassador Aduda emphasised the importance of prioritizing women’s economic empowerment, asserting that it not only unlocks their full potential but also fosters active participation in nation-building while fortifying them against marginalization.
The Affirmative Procurement Project, he explained, aims to dismantle barriers and address structural challenges impeding the growth and development of women entrepreneurs.
“The overarching objective is to prioritize women in procurement initiatives in Nigeria, thereby strengthening their economic foundations to enable meaningful contributions not only to their families’ well-being but also to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration,”
The Acting Deputy Country Representative of UN Women, Mr Zephania Aura, commended the Ministry of Women Affairs for creating an enabling environment for women’s economic upliftment.
He pledged UN Women’s steadfast commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment, affirming it as a pivotal pathway to scaling up female entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
