By Ngozi Nwankwo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reinforced commitment to address the health disparity that disproportionately affect women and girls.
Speaking recently at the Women Affairs Ministry’s Empower-Her: Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment and Fund-raising Dinner at the State House, Abuja, the President emphasised the importance of addressing challenges women face.
Tinubu who assured commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality in Nigeria, called on government and private sectors to join hands and support the programme.
Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu acknowledged the crucial role women play in agriculture, contributing over 70% of the labor force, and stressed the need for investment in agricultural training, access to land, and financial services for women farmers.
This, he believes, will increase their yield, improve livelihoods, and contribute to Nigeria’s food security.
He also highlighted health disparities affecting women and girls, with a focus on increasing access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
The president said strengthening institutions, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and supporting women’s rural organizations are essential to ensuring women have access to justice and protection from violence and discrimination.
“As the President of Nigeria, I am committed to advancing the cause of women empowerment and gender equality in our dear nation. Don’t forget my mother was a great market woman.
“We recognise the challenges women face with limited access to education and healthcare, gender based violence and economic disparity. This is imperative for us as a nation together to drive down development and create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed.
“Empowering women in agriculture must prioritize investment in agricultural training, access to land (This is critical) and financial services for women farmers.
“This will enable women increase their yield, improve their livelihood and contribute to Nigeria’s food security. By doing so, we will unlock their full potential that will drive different economic growth.
“We must also address the health disparity that disproportionately affect women and girls. By increasing access to quality health care, education, economic opportunities, we can empower them to control of their health and wellbeing. Allow them to express themselves
“In our quest for justice and sustainability, we must ensure women have access to justice and protected from all forms of violence and discrimination, which requires strengthening our institutions, promoting gender sensitive policies, and supporting womens rural organizations.
“It is in view of this that this Empower-Her initiative solidly deepen the vision we have for our country. We must empower women, not just for their sake, but for the sake of our entire nation. When we have empowered families, communities are viable.
“I call on us both in government and private sector to join hands and support and promote Empower-Her initiative, which has created an enabling environment for every woman in nigeria to fulfill her potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
“To the women of Nigeria, I say this, your voice matters, your talents are invaluable and your potential limitless, stand tall, speak out the future of Nigeria lies in you, to build a Nigerian where every woman”, he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, emphasized the importance of empowering women in Nigeria.