Nigeria will host a Conference on Gender Inclusion from January 30 – 31, 2025, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The conference with the theme, ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience for Sustainable Women’s Economic and Financial Inclusion,’ is organised by the Office of the Vice President.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, disclosed this in a press briefing at the Villa on Tuesday.
Hadejia highlighted the importance of the conference in addressing urgent challenges related to women’s empowerment.
“This conference is not just a gathering; it is a call to action.
“We must break down barriers that hinder women’s economic participation.
“Our commitment to gender equality is unwavering, and this initiative is a testament to that,” he stated.
Hadejia noted that the conference will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, focusing on actionable solutions for empowering women across Nigeria and the African continent.
“The #ShesIncluded initiative is born from the Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion, signed on April 25, 2024.
“This strategic framework aims to tackle economic challenges holistically and elevate women’s roles in our economy,” he explained.
The two-day event will feature an executive session and technical discussions on the first day, followed by a gender masterclass for supply-side actors and a town hall meeting for demand-side actors on the second day.
Participants will include state governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, parliamentarians, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed, diplomats, industry leaders, and development partners.
“The Vice President will officially open the event, inaugurate a gender advisory group, and launch the #ShesIncluded initiative.
“This is an opportunity for us to unite in our efforts to ensure that every woman has access to economic opportunities,” the DCoS explained.
Highlighting the significance of women’s contributions to national development, Hadeija said, “Under President Bola Tinubu, we understand that our nation cannot achieve its full potential without harnessing the talents of our women and girls. Their empowerment is crucial for sustainable development.”
“The conference aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
“We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive economically,” he added.
Hadeija called for the media’s participation, saying, “Together, we can amplify the message of inclusion and opportunity for our women.”
The Aso Accord, signed on April 25, 2024, is a strategic initiative designed to address gaps in economic and financial inclusion by empowering underserved communities/demographics, particularly women and youths, by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to fully participate in the economy.
The aim is to close and break the barriers hindering women from achieving financial and economic empowerment.
The barriers are especially significant in Northern Nigeria, where exclusion rates are 38 per cent in the North-East and 47 per cent in the North-West, in stark contrast to just five in the South-West and 10 per cent in the South-South.
