The Ministry of Women Affairs is saddled with the mandate of advising the government on gender and children issues as well as matters affecting persons with disabilities and the elderly. How far has the ministry ensured the achievement of this mandate this year? ENE OSHABA takes a look at the scenarios.
Tallen’s exit
This year saw the exit of the former minister of women affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who handed over to the current minister, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye. While in office she played a pivotal role in pushing for policies and initiatives aimed at empowering women across the nation.
Top on the many achievements during her tenure was the advocacy efforts that led President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a 56-member National Advisory Committee on Women’s Economic Empowerment, High-Level Advisory Council (HLAC) to support Nigerian women and girls in economic development.
Also, before the expiration of President Buhari’s tenure, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy which, according to Mrs. Tallen, would bring about optimal development in the country.
In addition to the investment in promoting the livelihoods of women in Nigeria, the World Bank recently approved $500 million for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale Up ((NFWP-SU).
As 2023 winds down, it is crucial to reflect on the ministry’s accomplishments and challenges throughout the year.
Empowerment
Minister of Women Affairs Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye on assuming office unveiled the ministry’s blueprint anchored on five pillars: Child Rights and Protection, political empowerment, economic empowerment, digital empowerment and gender equality and social inclusion.
Making this declaration during a strategic session with commissioners of women affairs drawn from the 36 states of the federation in Abuja, she reiterated her concern towards the present plight of Nigerian women and girls across the country.
She said this strategic plan is intricately woven into the fabric of the eight Presidential priorities ensuring that efforts are not only aligned with overarching vision for Nigeria, but also specifically designed to address the unique challenges and aspirations of women and children.
Through targeted programmes and partnerships with the private sector, the ministry has made strides in breaking down barriers that hinder women’s economic growth in order to reduce their dependency which exposes and has made them vulnerable to gender-based violence.
By advocating economic empowerment, providing skills training, and fostering supportive workplace environments, the ministry has contributed to a more inclusive workforce.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye came on board with a new vision for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and this has been obvious in her commitment to ensuring that the old order of “audio empowerment” is replaced with practical and visible steps to bringing this vision to reality.
Within the 100 days in office, the ministry of women affairs in collaboration with Lima machinery, a Chinese-owned company, agreed to partner on mechanised farming to enhance the skills and productivity of Nigerian women in the agricultural sector.
This is in line with her vision to empower women with skills to boost agricultural productivity, elevate the income level of women, as well as generate revenue for the nation.
Kennedy-Ohanenye explained that the partnership would focus on animal feed, rice milling production and the provision of mechanised farming tools, a market hub that will be fashioned where products could be advertised and sold with convenience.
In addition, she envisioned the establishment of fish grilling machines locally fabricated to grill 500 fishes every two hours powered with gas, biogas and charcoal, to be distributed as part of its sustainable empowerment programs for women in Nigeria.
Also, the establishment of hubs, like a warehouse, in each local government, where women products will be advertised by the hub operators on the portal alerting buyers worldwide, would ensure that the products are not wasted.
“We are also planning for them to have a butchering location in each of those hubs so that they can go there butcher with packaging machines and freeze to be distributed across the nation, which will bring down the cost of food and enable the farmers get more money
“Our Chinese partners will give us improved seeds and mechanised farming tools to make it easy for Nigerians to do these work, which will help them to make more proceeds without overworking themselves so that we will multiply what we used to get before, sell cheaper and Nigerians will get more food.
“Women across the six geopolitical zones will be trained on various skills, which they will also cascade to others to improve their livelihoods, nation’s GDP, address street-begging and insecurity.
“These are some of the things I will achieve from now to 100 days in office such as empowering women, teaching them skills, training the trainees for them to empower at least 10 people for us,” she had said.
On rural farming, the minister warned the public to desist from using their positions and connection to grab programmes targeted at a group.
“I am here to motivate the women to work hard , teach them how to fish and protect their children with the little power President Tinubu has given me, that is my job.”
The sales manager, Lima Machinery Company China, Gatsby Kang, assured that the collaboration will strengthen the existing relationship between the two countries, while emphasizing that technology can bring huge yield in production and make meaningful difference in women’s lives.
In addition, the ministry secured the financial support of two hundred and ten million naira from the American University of Nigeria in Adamawa state for the families of the Chibok girls in Borno state as part of its sustainable empowerment drive for Nigerian women.
Shedding more light on the financial support, the minister stated that she visited the American University located in the Chibok community in Adamawa state where 79 girls survived the April 14, 2014, abduction of girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state.
“During my visit, I noticed that the community needed our support and urged the president/vice-chancellor of the American University to support the ministry in this direction and he willingly agreed to earmark 50 per cent of the scholarship fund for sustainable empowerment for the family members of the girls domiciled in Chibok, Borno state.
“The money will not be given to the ministry, but the American University will procure the items directly from the companies and give to the community which include 20 pieces of rice milling machines, 10 units of cassava milling machines, 10 units of fish grilling machines, five units of rice packaging machines, a unit of grinding machine, 30 units of sewing machines, 30 pieces of scissors, 20 units of branded tricycles and 10 units of solar water pumping machines to enhance irrigation process for Rice farming,” she said further.
Addressing gender-based violence
The scourge of gender-based violence remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, and the ministry of women affairs has not shied away from tackling this challenge head-on. In 2023, the ministry implemented comprehensive campaigns to raise awareness about domestic violence and provide support for survivors. Collaborating with law enforcement agencies, the ministry has also worked to strengthen legal frameworks and ensure justice for victims.
In furtherance to renewed efforts towards addressing the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in the country, the ministry secured the endorsement of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to establish mobile courts for quick dispensation of matters relating to harmful practices and other social vices against Nigerian women and girls in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.
According to her, the establishment of mobile courts dedicated to addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse in the form of street begging, will expedite trial of women and children held in correctional facilities.
This is obvious in the legal action the ministry took at an Enugu court against a mother, Christabel Ewuru, and husband, Ifeanyi Ewuru, to ensure justice for a nine-year-old surviving sexual molestation by her stepfather.
Also, the minister pushed for a court sitting against the management and some staff of the Maitama General Hospital over alleged negligence and refusal to treat Greatness Olorunfemi, victim of “one chance’’ before her death at the hospital to serve as a deterrent to others.
She continued to reiterate her vision of ensuring that persons who still violate existing laws which prohibit violence against women – the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015 as well as Child Rights Act, 2003 are made to face judgement faster, through the mobile courts being championed by the ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), International Federation of Women Lawyers, Traditional and Religious Elites, Women Societies among others.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye decried rising statistics of female genital mutilation (FGM), which she remarked has spread from the previous five, now to eight states with perpetrators feigning ignorance of knowing that the practice is prohibitive.
“To be forewarned is to be fore-armed and that is why we are sensitising perpetrators of the crime against Nigerian women and girls including those still in the habit of practising demeaning widowhood rights against and children that just lost their fathers, to be ready to answer to the VAPP and Child Rights Acts. Thereafter, enforcement will follow,” she said.
Health initiatives
Recognising the importance of accessible quality health for women, the minister in her assumption speech assured of commitment towards enabling accessible healthcare for women and children through health programs that would address maternal health and encourage family planning with the aim of promoting the well-being of women and children across the country.
She called on partners and other stakeholders to support the government through an insurance scheme that will enable women and children in rural areas to access quality health care services.
She had called for allocation of at least one per cent from taxation on alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and others to be channeled towards health care services for women, especially in rural areas to reduce mortality rates while assuring of ministry resolve to work towards ameliorating the sufferings of women and children, particularly with regards to improved access to health care services and farming for those in the rural areas.
Education
While also stressing the pivotal role education plays in women’s empowerment, the ministry focused on initiatives to improve educational access for girls in 2023. By advocating girl-child education and implementing scholarships, the ministry has taken steps towards bridging the gender gap in education.
The minister, as an ardent advocate for skills acquisition called for vocational training to be incorporated into school curriculum as a valuable initiative that would have numerous benefits for students, women, and the country as a whole.
The minister in her presentation at the Anambra Summit, suggested that part of the learning hours for Fridays in the secondary schools be dedicated for projects where skills acquisition could be learnt, maintaining that this will boost and build the confidence of upcoming generation/students by engaging them in seminars and workshops to keep them updated with contemporary trends on entrepreneurship.
While raising this awareness among parents, educators, and policymakers about the importance of vocational training and its potential impact on the country’s development she assured strongly that vocational training and incorporating it into the school curriculum in Nigeria can better prepare its youths for a diverse range of careers, reduce unemployment, and contribute to raising economically empowered women.
“Vocational training covers a wide range of skills including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, auto mechanic, sewing, catering and more. This diversity can meet the needs of various industries and markets
“Vocational skills when acquired empower one to become an entrepreneur and start their businesses. This can lead to job creation, economic growth, and reduced reliance on formal employment or white collar jobs and high economic dependency rate of women.
“It therefore becomes pertinent to ensure that students receive recognised certifications upon completing vocational training programmes which can boost their employability.”
Challenges, opportunities
While celebrating these achievements, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges that persist. The ministry of women affairs faces obstacles such as limited resources, cultural barriers, and the need for sustained public awareness. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovative solutions, increased collaboration, and a renewed commitment to advancing women’s rights.
Looking forward
Stepping into 2024, it is pertinent for the ministry of women affairs to build on the successes of the year and continue to evolve its strategies especially as Nigeria women had rolled out expectations from the ministry in different areas affecting women’s lives.
It is believed that by advocating for an inclusive governance that would enable women occupy leadership positions at all levels, fostering partnerships with NGOs, engaging with local communities, and leveraging technology for outreach, the ministry can amplify its impact and contribute to a more gender-inclusive society.
2023 has been a year of progress for the ministry of women affairs in Nigeria. By addressing key issues such as workplace inequality, gender-based violence, and educational disparities, the ministry has played a vital role in advancing the status of women in the nation. As we embark on a new year, citizens are urged to collectively strive for a Nigeria where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation’s development.
