Ekiti Women Affairs Commissioner Harps on Education, Inclusion as Pillars of Women’s Development

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, has stressed the critical role of women in driving sustainable development, saying no society can achieve meaningful progress without deliberate investment in its female population.

Mrs Babafemi said this while speaking on E Jiire, a flagship programme of Ekiti State Television (EKTV), where she discussed government policies and interventions aimed at empowering women and protecting the rights of the girl-child in the state.

She described education as a powerful tool for transforming the lives of girls, noting that it lays the foundation for a secure and prosperous future.

According to her, educating a girl not only uplifts the individual but also strengthens families, communities and society at large.

Mrs Babafemi said women possess resilience, adaptability and commitment that make them key contributors to development in both the public and private sectors.

“When women are given opportunities, they are results-driven and committed to their responsibilities,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of women's inclusion in governance, noting that balanced representation promotes inclusive decision-making and more impactful policies.

The commissioner praised the administration of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for its commitment to women's empowerment, citing the significant number of women occupying leadership positions across the state.

Referring to the 1995 Beijing Conference resolution on 35% affirmative action, she said the state government had demonstrated commitment to promoting women's rights and empowerment.

Mrs Babafemi also highlighted collaboration between her ministry, the Office of the First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as civil society organisations, saying the partnership had strengthened responses to issues affecting women and girls.

She said enforcement of the Child’s Rights Law required collective responsibility, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to support government efforts to protect women and children.

The commissioner also called for greater community support to drive positive social change and cultural reorientation.

She urged families to prioritise the education of all children, including girls, describing it as a long-term investment.

Speaking on activities planned for the 2026 International Women’s Day, Mrs Babafemi said the theme, “Give to Gain”, encourages stakeholders to work together to advance gender equality for the benefit of society.

She said the celebration in Ekiti would feature activities highlighting the achievements of women across sectors while stimulating conversations on gender issues.

Mrs Babafemi also spoke about Women in Management (WIM), an initiative she founded in the state public service to strengthen the leadership capacity of female officers.

She said the platform provides mentorship, peer support and networking opportunities for women.

According to her, the initiative has grown significantly under the leadership of its current coordinator, Dr Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo, whose advocacy efforts have contributed to women's development in the state.

Reaffirming the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to inclusive development, Mrs Babafemi said empowering women remained a key strategy for sustainable development.

Also speaking, the Ekiti State Coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, Mrs Toyin Familoni, stressed the need to strengthen economic opportunities for women at the grassroots.

She said this was essential for sustainable community development.

Mrs Familoni noted that women play a central role in local commerce, particularly through agriculture, trading and small-scale enterprises that support many households and rural economies.

She commended the Ekiti State Government for its interventions in advancing women’s empowerment, adding that the programme provides mentorship and guidance while helping women access funding, markets and other economic opportunities.