Empowerment roadmap ‘ll elevate Lagos women’s economic power – Commissioner
By Kemi Akintokun and Ronke Ojediran
The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has expressed optimism that the state’s newly-unveiled Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) roadmap will address systemic challenges limiting women participation in the economy.
The state’s Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs Bola Dada, gave the assurance at the unveiling of the roadmap on Tuesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WEE roadmap was unveiled by Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in domestication of the National WEE Policy and Action Plan.
The National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan is a comprehensive framework aimed at reducing gender inequality and promoting women participation in the economy.
Launched in May 2023, the policy focuses on key areas such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, traditional labour markets, emerging industries, and education/skills development, with the goal of boosting women’s economic advancement.
Dada described the roadmap as a significant step in ensuring inclusive growth, gender equity, and sustainable economic development.
“Today is not just the unveiling of a policy; it is the affirmation of a collective resolve to break barriers, expand opportunities and elevate the economic power of women across Lagos State.
“This roadmap offers a well-defined strategy to address the systemic challenges limiting women’s participation in the economy, from limited access to finance and skills, to gender-based constraints in both traditional and emerging sectors.
“These are not just lofty aspirations, they reflect a concrete agenda designed to uplift the economic standing of women and drive inclusive growth in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said
She said that the policy was anchored on five strategic pillars to address challenges limiting women in the society.
She identified the goals to include enhancing access to finance and tools for women in agriculture, addressing cultural and economic barries, and breaking gender stereotypes.
The others, according to Dada, are helping women in education and skills aquisition to overcome socio-economic challenges, and promoting access to credit, technology and business development services for women in entrepreneurship.
The commissioner said that WAPA would continue to collaborate with the Office of the SDGs, technical and development partners to translate the WEE roadmap into real programmes, measurable outcomes and a lasting change.
“At WAPA, we see this roadmap as a launchpad to expand our vocational training programmes, strengthen micro-enterprise support, foster public-private partnerships, and drive policy advocacy for women in the informal sector.
“When we empower a woman, we uplift a household, strengthen the economy, and build a more prosperous Lagos,” she said.
She commended Sanwo-Olu for promoting gender-inclusive policies.
Dada also thanked the Minister of Women Affairs for championing the National WEE Policy and creating a solid foundation for its domestication by states.
She urged Nigerians to embrace the policy for a desired change. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
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