President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja assured of more inclusion
of women in governance to ensure even spread of development across the
country while reaffirming the commitment of his administration to end
child marriage and boost girl-child education.
President Buhari, who received a group of Nigerian Women led by
Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, at the State House, said
women have a pivotal role to play in Nigeria’s development, and their
participation in politics and governance must be improved, starting with
the 35 percent benchmark for women’s participation as recommended in the
National Gender Policy.
“I truly understand that when equity becomes the guiding principle and
women hold strategic leadership positions both in government and the
private sector, not only will our development be accelerated but also
the diversity and richness in the quality of our policy design,
engagement, and execution will be improved.
“I want to reassure you that this administration remains resolute to not
only meet the 35 percent National Gender Policy but to exceed it across
key decision making roles in government.”
To further improve women’s participation in politics and
decision-making, the President said it will be important that “the
on-going Constitutional Review processes at all levels institutionalize
accountability mechanisms and frameworks in the implementation of the
National Gender Policy and the use of gender-disaggregated data for
planning.”
“I wish to recognize the value Nigerian women bring to our society,
especially when they are supported and given a voice. This was displayed
in 2015 when Nigerian Women; young and old, including my wife, Aisha
Buhari took a decisive and bold step to ensure that the polls spoke in
favor of the “Change Agenda” in the face of strong opposition,
intimidation and what had appeared to be an impossible task. This
administration is a beneficiary of the strong support of Nigerian women
and I truly thank you all for the display of resilience throughout our
journey.
“I am aware of the importance of the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs
as the national machinery for the advancement of women and children in
the country. This was my motivation in ensuring that the building,
housing the ministry was promptly completed and I commissioned it as the
first project in the year 2020 as a manifestation of this
administration’s recognition of women’s crucial role in national
development.”
The President noted that his government had not reached the 35 percent
benchmark for women’s participation as recommended in the National
Gender Policy, but the current female appointees represent the first
step in strategic intervention for the inclusion of women.
President Buhari also reaffirmed his commitment to end child marriage,
boost girl-child education, and ensure that mothers get educated,
encouraged, and empowered across the country.
“I am happy that the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs is working with
the Federal Ministry of Education to achieve this goal. I am aware that
the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs requires adequate and guaranteed
access to funding, human and technical resources to achieve its mandate,
and this is being prioritized.”
The President expressed concern at the rising cases of rape and
gender-based violence against women, particularly during the period of
COVID-19 lockdown.
“I am delighted to note that the Government’s zero-tolerance and
declaring a state of emergency regarding gender-based violence has
placed Nigeria ahead in providing support for survivors and bringing
perpetrators to book.
“In addition, at the global level, we will show our firm commitment to
bring an end to the exponential rise of violence against women and
girls, by supporting the Chair of the African Union President Cyril
Ramaphosa of South Africa in his call for a treaty to end violence
against women and girls at the African Union summit in February 2021.”
In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs thanked the President for
the release of finance to complete the headquarters of the ministry
which was abandoned in 2013.
She also appreciated the President’s prompt response to cases of rape
and gender-based violence occasioned by the lockdown, and the
interventions of governments and institutions, including state
governors.