Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang has inaugurated a consultative committee to facilitate the domestication of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy in the state.
Represented by commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Caroline Panglang Dafur, the governor, emphasised the committee’s crucial role in ensuring the policy’s successful implementation.
The committee’s tasks include providing access to education, training in modern agriculture and entrepreneurship, credit facilities, and markets for women.
They will also engage stakeholders, conduct needs assessments, develop a comprehensive implementation plan, establish partnerships, and monitor progress.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the importance of women’s economic empowerment for achieving gender equality and women’s rights.
He challenged the committee to approach their assignment with dedication, inclusivity, and transparency, ensuring a direct impact on the lives of women and girls in the state.
Meanwhile, technical partners, which include the University of Jos and the Development Research and Project Centre, emphasised the policy’s focus on democratising access to agricultural resources and promoting gender-based reforms to increase productivity for women stakeholder farmers.
Professor Linda Kwon-Ndung of NIPSS Kuru highlighted the significance of empowering women, who constitute half of Nigeria’s population, to contribute to national development.
She urged the committee to contextualise the policy according to local realities, addressing gaps in various sectors.
Committee members, including representatives from WOWICAN, FOMWAN, WRAPA, NAWOJ, and Traditional Council, pledged to work towards the policy’s domestication, marking a crucial step towards gender equality and economic empowerment for women in Plateau State.
