— (Olaedo Nelson) – Tuesday 29th October, 2024 —
Newly appointed Nigerian Women Affairs Minister on Monday expressed her commitment to ensure gender equality and create more opportunities for women in the country.
Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s continuous interest in ensuring women empowerment, reaffirmed her keenness in aligning with the President’s vision to achieve gender equity and improving the welfare of the vulnerable.
Women in the country feel they are underrepresented, among other challenges they face in politics, employment, business opportunities and education.
“This (today) is a beginning of a new era for every Nigerian woman, child, and vulnerable citizen, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said, while addressing the audience that welcomed her at the Ministry’s headquarters.
“I stand before you not only as a representative of the government but, as a woman, mother and a Nigerian with a strong commitment to ensuring that woman, child and marginalised group in our nation has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, purpose and freedom”, the Minister stated.
She said women currently occupy less than 5% of elective positions and hold under 22% of senior roles in the private sector but, added that the ministry will implement targeted policies to close these gaps and support women’s advancement into leadership roles.
Action will speak louder than words
While highlighting the role of women in the Nigerian economy, noting that 41% of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are owned by women, she expressed willingness to strengthen support for female entrepreneurs and boost economic opportunities for women in all sectors of the nation’s economy.
The Minister acknowledged the work of her predecessors and the ministry’s partners, adding that “my tenure will not be ‘business as usual. We are entering a new era where action will speak louder than words”.