You’re critical to liberating Kano women from economic barriers – Commissioner tells C’ttee

The Kano State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Children and Disable, Aisha Saji has told a 30-man committee set up for domestication of the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy in the state, that their role is critical to liberating Kano women from challenges and barriers that hinders them from economic participation.

The Commissioner stated this during the inauguration ceremony of the 30-man committee organized by the Ministry with support from the department of Research Project Centre, dRPC.

Saji said women in Kano are being faced with numerous challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities, as such the committee has a critical role to play in addressing them and ensuring equal opportunities for women to participate in the economy and reach their potential.

According to her, “Women are the backbone of our economy, and their economic empowerment is crucial for the development of our state and nation.

However, women in Kano State faces numerous challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

“This Committee has a critical role to play in addressing these challenges and ensuring that women in Kano State have equal opportunities to participate in the economy and reach their full potential.

“Our task is to domesticate the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy, tailoring it to the unique needs and context of Kano State.

“We must work together to create an environment that supports women’s economic empowerment, provides access to finance and markets, and promotes entrepreneurship and innovation. We must also address the social and cultural barriers that hinder women’s economic participation.

“I charge this Committee to: Engage with stakeholders, including women’s groups, civil society organizations, an private sector actors and Conduct thorough research and analysis to inform policy decisions. It is also to develop a comprehensive implementation plan with clear targets and timelines and Collaborate with relevant government agencies and ministres to ensure effective implementation.

“The inauguration of this Committees on domestication of National Women Economic Empowerment Policy is a crucial step towards a more inclusive and prosperous society,” the Commissioner, Saji said.

Earlier, the dRPC Senior Programme Associate, Bar. Umar Ahmad while giving an overview of dRPC’s work on WEE, said it is supporting the state to review the WEE policy document to suit the peculiarities and address barriers in the state for onward adoption by the state executive council.

He described the policy is an important document that will serve as a framework for implementing any intervention relating to women economic empowerment in the state.

The 30-man committee members which were drawn from the Ministries, Traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations among others has the mandate to study the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy with view to identify gaps in consideration of Kano State peculiarities and economic realities.

The committee identify and address gender/disability specific barriers to economic empowerment, build capacities of stakeholders, to validate the domesticated policy, to facilitate it for executive approval, to develop advocacy strategies to promote policy adoption and implementation among others.