President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday pledged his continuous support for Nigerian women to take up leadership positions.
The President stated this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘President Buhari assures of more support for women to take up leadership positions, access credits, contest elections’.
According to a statement, the President disclosed this when he received National and International Working Groups of the Supporting Advancement of Gender Equity Initiative at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day.
Adesina quoted the President as saying that apart from ensuring that access to credit will be further eased, he would also ensure that more space is created for the women to participate in politics.
He was quoted as saying that “This administration places a premium on promoting women’s inclusiveness in national development as we have demonstrated with those holding key portfolios in this administration.
“They include: Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of State for Environment.
“Other positions given to women include Minister of State for Transportation, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chair, Federal Character Commission and Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.
“I am very proud of the achievements of my former Minister for Environment and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Fatima Mohammed Kyari as the African Union Permanent Observer to the United Nations and the newly elected Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“We will continue to support them to succeed. And we shall continue to advocate for our women who qualify to lead international fora.”
He described women as credible forces in strengthening democracy and promoting the culture of peace and food security, adding that he is grateful for the role women have played and continue to play in his regime.
Buhari noted that the theme for 2021 International Women’s Day, ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World’, calls for more concerted efforts and Nigeria will be more than ever committed to join in raising the bar for women’s representation at all levels.
“This administration has demonstrated this by engaging in intense diplomacy to support the aspirations of Nigerian women to provide leadership at the global stage.
“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant problems, including the spike in gender-based violence, this administration promptly responded by declaring zero tolerance to Gender-Based Violence in the country.
“I have since directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in collaboration with the Minister of Women’s Affairs to immediately inaugurate an Inter-Ministerial Gender Based Violence Management Committee to address all forms of violence against women and children in the country. This body is already in place and running,” he said.