Ekiti Govt Held Stakeholder Validation of Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy

A five-day technical session on the domestication of the Women's Economic Empowerment Policy concluded with stakeholder validation of the policy and a renewed commitment to women’s economic empowerment.

The week-long technical sessions were organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Receiving the lead consultant for the domestication on behalf of the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro, emphasised the administration's commitment to the development of women and girls. She added that the adoption of the Women Economic Empowerment Policy would ensure that women and other vulnerable groups are at the centre of the governance agenda. 

The Lead Consultant, Professor Olabisi Aina, explained that women's issues are cross-cutting and should be at the forefront of all aspects of public administration and governance. She commended the State Government's readiness to embrace the policy, anchored on five pillars: Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Labour, Emerging Industries, and Education.

Earlier, the Consultant with his team had conducted Key Informant Interviews (KII) with the Executive Council members of some MDAs  such as Innovation,  Science and Digital Economy, Justice, Education, Special Education and Social Inclusion, Health, Agriculture and Food Security, Wealth Creation, Industry, Trade, and Investment.

In her presentation, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, said that the stakeholder validation demonstrated the state's commitment to translating policy into tangible outcomes for Ekiti women and girls. 

She highlighted the existing state programmes that align with the WEE Policy as deliberate government efforts to develop women. She acknowledged the fact that the Oyebanji-led administration is working towards leaving no stone unturned 

The consultant team commended Ekiti for its excellent preparedness, which made the assignment a resounding success in the state.