By Abubakar Yunusa
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women in workplace policy.
This pledge was made during a high-level stakeholders’ advocacy meeting on the validated Nigeria Workplace Gender Policy, held in Abuja.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, with the support of Oxfam Nigeria.
The meeting sought to raise awareness of the workplace gender policy among federal ministries and ensure its smooth passage at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), with the ultimate goal of creating a safe and inclusive work environment for all Nigerians.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, represented by the Director of Gender Affairs, Mr Adamu Ismaila Web, emphasised the importance of the policy in fostering gender equality in workplaces across Nigeria.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women, particularly in relation to this critical workplace policy,”
She highlighted that the policy represents a significant milestone in advancing gender equality and social inclusion in workplaces.
She expressed optimism that, with the active participation of stakeholders, the initiative would lead to safer work environments free from harassment.
The minister also commended the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Oxfam, and other partners for their efforts in promoting this achievement.
The Director of Inspectorate at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Olaolu Olaitan, stressed the importance of gender equality in unlocking the skills and perspectives of both men and women.
She noted that gender mainstreaming considers the differences between men and women and addresses the human implications of those differences.
“When we avoid gender discrimination in the workplace, we can increase productivity and alleviate conflicts,” she added.
In her remarks, Oxfam in Nigeria’s Programme Manager for Gender Justice, Helen Akinyemi, emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the successful approval and implementation of the policy.
She called for continued support from ministries and development partners to achieve a future where workplaces are inclusive and gender-neutral.
