As Lagos State joined the global community yesterday to mark International Day For Poverty Eradication, the state government has through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) empowered about 65, 000 households with various start-up tools, funds and skills to be self-reliant.
In her address at the forum organised by her ministry to mark the occasion, the commissioner for women affairs and poverty alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, saidthe theme for this year‘s celebration, „Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All,“ was apt and would help to address unemployment through empowerment programmes and activities that reduce the prevalence of poverty amongst women, girls and the youths in the state.
She added that the day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to address poverty and inequality, ensuring that everyone has access to decent work and social protection.
Dada said 400 women will be offered N50,000 each at the forum and be trained by facilitators on how to invest the money.
‘’Investing in education and skills’ training, we will not rescind in providing quality education and training opportunities for women, including vocational and technical skills using our 20 skills acquisition centres across five divisions of Lagos State , in order to enhance their employability and access to decent work. Even as we consider partnerships with educational institutions and training centers.
‘’Promoting entrepreneurship and access to finance: Facilitate access to capital, credit, and business support services to enable women to start and grow their own businesses. I categorically say here that we are all out to build resourceful women, hence we would create dedicated loan programmes as business incubators, and mentorship programs which are specifically targeted at grooming women entrepreneurs.
‘’We need your collective support to key into our vision. So far, over 65,000 households have benefited from our various programmes under our HeforShe champion Governor; Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo- Olu. In this administration, we have an array of robust programmes to make Lagos State the envy of all other nations. Please, walk with us!’’
