ABUJA – Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, on Wednesday, revealed that private sector operators in Nigeria have begun the mobilisation of $25million in a bid to fight gender based violence in Nigeria.
Eyong disclosed this at the Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement in Africa in Abuja.
She disclosed that the development of a private sector Gender Based Violence Fund in Nigeria was the first of its kind in Africa.
While enumerating some of the milestones recorded by UN Women Nigeria in collaboration with other key stakeholders, she said, “we have made significant progress in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria, which has resulted in the development of a National Women’s economic empowerment policy, the first of its kind in Nigeria, the approval of an affirmative procurement policy in Kaduna State, the development of a private sector GBV fund.”
She, however, acknowledged that a lot of work still needs to be done to mitigate the incidences of gender based violence in Nigeria.
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Commenting on the essence of the event, Eyong said: “At this open day, our dialogues will focus on Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement in Africa, the challenges identified, the key achievements highlighted by country offices, the policy environment needed to stimulate women’s access to public procurement opportunities, and the role of the private sector in transforming economies and pioneering change.
“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the importance of addressing systemic inequality, opportunity inequality, and outcomes that have inhibited women’s economic empowerment.
“Though progress has been made, much remains to be done in accelerating progress and institutionalising transformation to ensure women’s economic autonomy.
“Recognising that women’s economic empowerment cannot be achieved in isolation, we are honoured to have with us a diverse group of partners and critical stakeholders, including government representatives, international development partners, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and colleagues present.
“Your presence here reflects the importance of collaborative efforts in mobilising the support necessary to advance gender equality in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Vitalis Emeka Obi, assured that his Ministry would adopt gender responsive budgeting and build capacities of budget desk officers on implementing Gender Responsive Budgets in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
He pointed out that the marginalisation of women and girls has become a significant barrier to progress in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
