Kwara state government and the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin in collaboration with the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), have entered into a partnership on women’s economic empowerment in the state.

Speaking during an advocacy visit to the state commissioner for Women Affairs on Thursday, the Team lead of the development Research and Project Centre, Hajia Alaya Biliqis Olatundun, said that the purpose of the project was to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy (WEE Policy) in Kwara state.

Hajia Alaya, who represented the Director General of the MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, said that the National WEE policy was launched in December 2023 by the Federal government as a stop-gap that guides investment in women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.

She said that states like Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Plateau, Borno, and Akwa Lbom have gone far in the domestication process, adding that Kwara State is next to strengthen and harmonise interventions aimed at improving the living conditions of women.

“On April 16, 2024, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), with support from the dRPC, launched the domestication of the policy at the subnational level”.

She said that the project has identified areas where the federal government will invest to ensure women reach their potential in Nigeria, adding that the areas include agriculture, entrepreneurship, education, technology, and financial inclusion.

The dRPC team lead assured the Commissioner that MINILS and dRPC will support the domestication efforts to ensure that Kwara State maintains its position as the biggest supporter of women in Nigeria.

“We call on the Honourable Commissioner to set up a committee comprising staff of the ministry and relevant ministries and MDAs, civil society, women groups, and traditional and religious leaders to commence this process.

“We hope this opportunity that is designed to improve the living conditions of women in Kwara State will be utilised.”.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Afolashade Opeyemi Kemi, said that the state government would key into the project considering the commitment of the government to improving the socioeconomic lives of women.

The commissioner also said that the ministry would execute the requirements needed to put the project in place to promote women’s inclusion and engagement in productive activities.

“We all know that women are vulnerable in our society. And we’re all aware that women have suffered in the past. Kudos to our women-friendly governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is committed to women’s development. He knows that when you empower women, you empower the nation.

“Considering the roles of women in society, our governor believes that women should not be limited to the kitchen or other rooms.

“He has given us a conducive environment to express ourselves in order to bring out the best in us. We’re happy, and we’ll not disappoint him.”