…Reaffirms child, women protection
By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
Minister of Women Affairs, Hon Imaan Sulaimam-Ibrahim, Friday, revealed her bold and ambitious vision to empower 10 million women economically by 2027.
According to the minister, with the commencement of implementation of the World Bank supported Nigeria for Women Scale-Up Project, which targets 4.5 million women across all 36 states and the FCT, women will be equipped with the tools they need to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
Imaan Sulaimam-Ibrahim also, reaffirms commitment to women empowerment, child protection, family advancement, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in Nigeria’s national development agenda.
She emphasized the need to pilot a ministry that will drive a transformational agenda that truly empowers, protects, and uplifts those it serves.
Speaking at the event that marked her 100-Days in office, the minister maintained that the ministry under her watch must move from policies to action, from conversations to measurable impact, and from incremental progress to bold, systemic reforms.
Hajia Imaan, revealed that one of the major milestones in her first 100 days in office has been the establishment of a Child Rights Act Review Committee.
The committee is tasked with harmonizing, strengthening, and modernizing Nigeria’s child protection laws, addresses gaps in the legal framework, ensuring that child marriage, trafficking, abuse, and violence are effectively tackled at all levels.
While reflecting on the journey so far and sharing key milestones achieved, she noted that over 100 million Nigerian women and girls, and millions more children and vulnerable populations are looking to the ministry for leadership, action, and results.
Outlining her strategic priorities, key initiatives undertaken alongside her vision for the future, the minister posited that their actions are guided by a strategic plan of action, meticulously developed to drive impactful interventions.
On advancing women’s economic empowerment, she held that it has remains one of the most effective ways to uplift women and dismantle systemic barriers that limit their potential.
According to her, the first phase of the program is currently underway in Kano State, with 2,500 women being trained at the Ministry of Women Affairs Centre in Dederi and the Kano Hospitality & Tourism Institute in Gyadi-Gyadi.
To further strengthen access to finance, the ministry is said to be working on setting up a National Microfinance framework for Women Entrepreneurs.
This initiative aims to bridge the financing gap for women, ensuring they have affordable credit, investment opportunities, and gender-responsive financial services to grow their businesses and contribute more effectively to national development.
On strengthening child protection and legal frameworks, She promised to ensure that every child is safe, educated, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Concluding, she insisted that Nigeria remains committed to ending Gender-Based Violence against women and children and strengthening global partnerships.
