The Ministry of Women Affairs and WEMA Bank PLC have joined forces on a government initiative to empower 500,000 women nationwide, spanning the six geopolitical zones.
As relayed in a statement by Mrs. Grace Njoku, the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, the collaboration aims to combat poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
Aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” the project will focus on equipping women with skills, promoting agricultural activities, and offering financial support through grants and loans.
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, highlighted the project’s potential to enhance national development by bolstering the economic status of women, a significant demographic in Nigeria.
Stressing the vital role women play in addressing societal issues like early marriage, domestic violence, and poverty, the minister underscored the importance of empowering women and children, who constitute 70% of the nation’s population.
The Ministry remains dedicated to providing avenues for women’s empowerment, especially at the grassroots level, through initiatives such as agribusiness, food processing enterprises, and tailoring.
“By doing so, Nigeria can expect a reduction in out-of-school dropouts, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as early marriages, allowing women to earn, make profits and also contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of not only their families, but the nation at large, the Minister highlighted.
WEMA Bank, led by Managing Director Moruf Oseni, has reaffirmed its dedication to empowering Nigerian women.
Oseni stated, “We were in the Ministry, alongside other partners, to discuss modalities for a robust partnership on women empowerment through the MOWA-SARA accelerator program.”
Represented by Executive Director Tunde Mabawonku, Oseni reiterated the bank’s eagerness to collaborate with the Ministry.
This partnership aims to enhance women’s economic status nationwide through a cluster arrangement, allocating part of WEMA Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility to women-focused initiatives.
