Women Empowerment Central to Ekiti’s Development Agenda — Commissioner

The Ekiti State Government says women empowerment remains a critical pillar of its human capital development strategy, with deliberate policies aimed at improving the welfare and participation of women in governance and society.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, stated this while featuring on a live simulcast radio programme in Ado-Ekiti.

Babafemi said Gov. Biodun Oyebanji’s administration had placed women at the centre of governance through inclusive policies that promote equal opportunities and shared prosperity.

According to her, women in the state are now enjoying improved access to rights and opportunities, a shift she attributed to the administration’s commitment to its human capital development agenda and service delivery reforms.

“Building women is synonymous with building the nation, as women play strategic roles in shaping families and society,” she said.

The Commissioner commended the governor for creating a safe and enabling environment for women and girls to thrive, noting that various government programmes were designed to help them maximise their potential.

She added that more women were now occupying key political positions in the state, reflecting the administration’s deliberate efforts to promote gender inclusion.

On education, Babafemi highlighted the impact of the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), which she said had improved infrastructure and learning conditions for the girl-child.

She also noted that the State Government's free education policy was inclusive and beneficial to all, particularly girls.

Speaking on healthcare, the commissioner said the government had sustained free maternal healthcare services from pregnancy through postnatal stages, alongside the recruitment of qualified personnel to enhance service delivery.

Babafemi further said the rise of women’s wings in professional bodies indicated growing gender balance and increased confidence among women, which she noted had positive effects on families and society.

She also cited the state’s intensified campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), saying effective policy implementation had strengthened protection and empowerment for women.

The commissioner commended the interventions of the Office of the First Lady, particularly the Widows, Aged, Orphans and the Homeless (WAOH) project, which she said had provided support for vulnerable groups across the state.

She disclosed that the Adire Ekiti Hub had trained and empowered over 5,000 women, contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth.

Babafemi said the cumulative impact of these initiatives had enhanced Ekiti’s profile as a leading state in promoting women’s development and gender inclusion.