By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the United Nations Women (UN Women), have expressed readiness to dismantle barriers and address structural challenges impeding the growth and development of women entrepreneurs.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, who made this known in his office on Wednesday said the overarching objective of the collaboration is to prioritize women in procurement initiatives in Nigeria.
This according to him, will strengthen their economic foundations to enable meaningful contributions not only to their families’ well-being but also to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
He reiterated the concerted effort to bolster women entrepreneurship across the nation, through the Federal Government joining forces with UN Women to implement Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiatives, specifically focusing on Affirmative Procurement Reforms.
Highlighting the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary emphasized limited access to capital, knowledge of available support systems, and intricate procurement processes among the key obstacles hindering their progress.
Aduda, stressed the vital importance of prioritizing women’s economic empowerment, asserting that it not only unlocks their full potential but also fosters active participation in nation-building while fortifying them against marginalization.
The affirmative procurement project, he explained, aims to dismantle barriers and address structural challenges impeding the growth and development of women entrepreneurs.
“The overarching objective is to prioritize women in procurement initiatives in Nigeria, thereby strengthening their economic foundations to enable meaningful contributions not only to their families’ well-being but also to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration,” he emphasized.
To ensure the realization of this objective, Aduda revealed the establishment of a National Steering Committee tasked with driving the implementation of the project. He noted that Kaduna and Lagos States have already piloted a Gender Responsive Procurement Policy and are awaiting gubernatorial consent to commence full-scale implementation.
Expressing gratitude to UN Women for their unwavering support in advancing female entrepreneurship in Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary announced plans for a National Policy Dialogue on the Project to sensitize key stakeholders and the public on the benefits of Gender Responsive Procurement to the country’s economic development.
Zephania Aura, Acting Deputy Country Representative of UN Women, commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for creating an enabling environment for women’s economic upliftment. He pledged UN Women’s steadfast commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment, affirming it as a pivotal pathway to scaling up female entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.