The government of Governor Uba Sani has reiterated its commitment to women’s economic empowerment by launching the domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy.
At a one-day citizens’ engagement workshop organized by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to support the policy’s domestication in the state, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, the State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, announced the government’s approval of a N4.5 billion special intervention for 15,000 households.
Hajiya Salisu emphasized that the state is determined to invest in women and girls through various interventions in economic development, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
She praised the Development Research and Projects Centre for its support in this initiative, assuring that Kaduna State aims to be a leader in promoting and uplifting the standard of living for women.
The commissioner highlighted ongoing efforts in social intervention, cash transfers, skills acquisition, education, and social development. She noted that the new policy will enable more investment and inclusion in the state.
Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre, represented by the Director of Partnerships and Communications, Malam Hassan Aliyu Karofi, explained that the support for Kaduna State aims to foster inclusion. He added that 24 other states are earmarked for similar support to domesticate the policy.
Dr. Walker projected that Nigeria could earn over $2.5 billion in investment and economic growth through the policy’s implementation, given that over 50% of the population are women.
On her parts Mrs. Rimicit Aboki, Gender Lead at the Albright Stonebridge Group, urged subnational governments to recognize the value in implementing the policy to unlock women’s economic potential.
Julia Vaillan, Head of the Nigeria Gender Innovation Lab at the World Bank, represented by Mr. Musa Yusuf, commended Kaduna State for adopting the policy.
She assured that the World Bank would provide technical assistance to support the policy’s domestication.