The Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Disabled Persons, in collaboration with the Development Research and Projects Centre (DRPC), has engaged stakeholders on the domestication of the National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan in the state.
According to DRPC Senior Program Associate, Umar Ahmad-Umar, the stakeholder engagement with the private sector aimed to review and adapt the policy for Kano State.
“We brought together stakeholders from the private sector to examine the National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan and provide their input on how best it can be reviewed, adopted, and domesticated,” he explained. “We previously had pre-engagements with other stakeholders such as citizens, CSOs, and traditional and religious leaders.”
Hajiya Hauwa Umar, Gender Officer at the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), emphasized the significance of the WEE Policy’s domestication to ensure the initiative’s sustainability.
She highlighted that the policy would help address the barriers women face, particularly in agribusiness and other trades, reduce poverty among women, and expand their businesses.
“AECF is a development initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, with a program in Kano called ‘Investing in Women in Nigeria.’ We provide grants to women-owned or women-led businesses that operate in the agribusiness sector,” Umar added.
The Kano State Commissioner for Women, Children, and Disabled Persons, Hajiya Aisha Lawan-Saji, noted that the domestication of the WEE Policy is both critical and timely, especially given the rising cost of living across the nation, which subjects women to various forms of abuse.
“Domestic violence and neglect demand urgent intervention through policy review and reformulation,” she stated.
Represented by the Ministry’s Director, Hajiya Bilkisu Jibrin, Lawan-Saji stressed that addressing the barriers preventing women from accessing employment and financial opportunities in the state requires private sector support.
She also highlighted the importance of economically empowering women, who are among the most vulnerable in society.
“This effort, which is being technically supported by DRPC and AECF, aligns with the current administration’s initiatives under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable women through various empowerment programs. In 2024, the ministry has empowered 4,028 women across all 44 LGAs, and the government has commenced the monthly empowerment of 5,200 women and provided support to 2,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs).”
Lawan-Saji commended DRPC and AECF for complementing the state government’s efforts in women empowerment, particularly in the domestication process, noting that the policy document will guide the government in implementing programs that bridge the gap in women’s access to economic opportunities.
Prof. Bala Kofar-Mata also presented a paper titled “Building Sustainable Partnerships for Domestication of National WEE Policy and Action Plan in Kano State.”
The Stakeholders Engagement/Building Partnership with the Private Sector for the Domestication of the National WEE Policy and Action Plan in Kano State was organized by the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with DRPC and AECF.
