From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in conjunction with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are championing the domestication of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy across the country.
Dr Asmau Leo disclosure during a visit to Plateau State ministry of Women Affairs yesterday in Jos, Plateau State capital, explained that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with key stakeholders, developed policy frameworks that have since been adopted by the NGF to guide the implementation process in states.
According to her, the initiative aims to support all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in adapting the policy to their peculiar realities and development priorities.
She revealed that Plateau State is among the 15 pilot states selected for the first phase of the policy domestication exercise, adding that her five-day assignment in the state includes engagements with the Ministry of Women Affairs, and other stakeholders to facilitate the process.
She explained that the WEE policy is anchored on five strategic pillars: agriculture, entrepreneurship, traditional labour market, education and skills development, and young women in the formal sector.
Dr Leo commended the Commissioner and the ministry for their cooperation and support, describing the engagement in Plateau State as productive and encouraging.
The meeting ended with an interactive session where directors and staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development sought clarifications and made contributions towards the successful implementation of the policy.I can also provide a shorter social media version and a Facebook caption to promote the story.
The Plateau State Government admonished its commitment to promote women’s inclusion and economic advancement as part of efforts to ensure that no woman is left behind in the state’s development agenda.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Panglang Dafur, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr Rebeccah Shaseet, during a courtesy visit by the WEE Consultant of NGF, Dr Leo, at the Commissioner’s Office in Jos.
Shaseet described WEE initiative as a significant opportunity to deepen the state’s commitment to improving the welfare of women and girls across Plateau State.
She noted that the ministry remains focused on implementing programmes and policies that encourage women’s economic participation, support entrepreneurship, and create opportunities for vulnerable women to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
The Permanent Secretary further expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders to ensure the successful domestication and implementation of the WEE policy in the state.