By Salif Atojoko

Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, has affirmed that the ministry will translate policies into action.

This is by ensuring access to justice and economic empowerment for women, children, and vulnerable families.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this while addressing State House Correspondents during the Meet-the-Press event on Friday, ahead of International Women’s Day 2025 on Saturday.

She emphasised that Nigeria must intensify efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) on gender equality by 2030. She acknowledged that many countries are also off track.

The Minister outlined four key issues facing women, which her ministry is committed to addressing.

First, she highlighted the legal and policy framework, noting Nigeria’s progress in enacting gender-responsive laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015) and the Child Rights Act (2003).

However, implementation remains a challenge.

“To date, 35 states have domesticated the VARP Act, and 34 states have adopted the Child Rights Act. This is progress, but more is needed,” said Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

She stressed the importance of full compliance, effective enforcement, and accountability to make these laws a reality for all Nigerian women and children.

The second issue is economic empowerment. Women drive Nigeria’s informal economy, owning 41 per cent of micro, small, and medium enterprises. Yet, access to finance, markets, and digital literacy remains a barrier.

“Over 94 per cent of women lack access to formal credit, in spite of their proven ability to invest in their families and communities,” she added.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for closing the gender financing gap, expanding opportunities in trade, technology, and digital skills, and providing structured support for women entrepreneurs.

The Minister also pointed out that over 30 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, and one in four girls has been sexually abused before turning 18.

She reiterated the need to sustain the state of emergency on gender-based violence declared by the Nigerian Governors Forum in 2020.

“The ministry is committed to strengthening survival-centered services and reviewing the Child Rights Act and the VAP Act. We are creating safe spaces nationwide,” she said.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stressed that gender-based violence is a national crisis that undermines collective development, not just a women’s issue.

The fourth issue is inadequate political representation and leadership. Women remain vastly underrepresented in decision-making spaces.

“In the 10th National Assembly, only four out of 109 senators and 17 out of 360 House members are women. This stark imbalance is not reflective of a progressive democracy,” she stated.

She called for accelerated efforts toward political inclusion, ensuring women are not tokenised but are equal partners in governance and development.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also lamented that the ministry’s interventions had largely relied on donor funding, which she described as unsustainable and insufficient.

However, she praised President Bola Tinubu for significantly raising the ministry’s budget for the first time, signalling a new commitment to institutionalising women’s empowerment as a core pillar of national development.

“This decision marks a new era in government commitment. We will prioritise legislative advocacy, women’s economic empowerment, girls’ education, and the fight against gender-based violence,” she said.

The Minister called on every Nigerian woman and child to stand up, step forward, and help shape Nigeria’s future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo