Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and the Ambassador of the United States, on Monday warned that the failure by government to empower women economically is inimical to human development and conflict mitigations.
They both noted this during the opening ceremony of Shea 2013: Global Perspective conference holding in Abuja between March 4 to 6.
The conference which is targeted at strategising for the increase in shea production is at the behest of Global Shea Alliance and the Niger State government.
Babangida who spoke on the topic impact of women empower on economic development noted that with a Nigerian population of 162.5 million people and 49 percent of them women, any decision about the nation’s future must entail consideration of girls and women, the roles they play and the barriers they face in making the future.
Babangida lamented that 54 percent of Nigerians still live in poverty and that nearly six million young men and women and men enter the labour market each year but only 10 percent are able to secure jobs in the formal sector.
He said “this situation has dire consequences for human development and conflict mitigation. This is not a problem of northern Nigeria vs southern Nigeria because the statistics are troubling in all parts of the country.
Its is a Nigeria wide problem which we all, as government, private sector, civil society and families must tackle.
“Given this context, every opportunity to empower women economically is an imperative- not simply “an option. Everyone at this conference understands, therefore, why shea is such a critical sector for the future of Nigeria and indeed the poorest areas of West Africa. Shea trees grow across the rural savannah region of West Africa where poverty is endemic.”
While he hailed the Global Shea Alliance for the shea conference, he noted that “the Nigeria Land Administration Acts needs to be implemented and publicised, to expand women access and entitlements to land. He added that banks should make their services more accessible to women and that organisations targeted at women empowerment should be consulted and involved in the design of initiatives to support women entrepreneur.
He under pinned the importance of shea on women is at the heart of new sustainablility program adding that the stakeholders meeting would serve as a program of investment in women and girls to improve productivity.
The Ambassador of the United States, Terrence McCulley, assured the US would continue to support the production of shea through sustained financial facilities adding that the product represents one of the golden opportunities to achieve economic development in the poorest areas of West Africa.
He highlighted that the economic impact of growth in shea production would transform the rural communities where millions of women pick peanuts.”These are communities where poverty is entrenched. Shea can help change that.”
He said on the impact of the expansion of shea market “the wisdom of this approach from a development standpoint is supported by years of research from around the world. The economic empowerment of women has profound impact on the welfare of children and in fact the overall economic growth in a given country. Study after study has correlated economic empowerment of women and economic growth.”
He however called for action against the threat posed by desertification and another look at country’s land use policy.
Co-host of the conference, and Niger State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, advocated the protection and promotion of shea to ensure that the product which has for centuries been a part of life in West Africa, remains a robust part of economic growth and development.
He however said “there still remains much to be done and we are on it.
First, there is the question of access to finance.” He also urged collaboration and corporation.
In her opening remarks, the President of the Global Shea Alliance, (GSA) Eugenia Akuete, charged stakeholders to ensure sustainablility, market expansion, competitiveness, and policy advocacy.