UN Women and the Kaduna government have expressed readiness to partner to abolish harmful cultural practices against women and tackle other gender-based issues which had worked against the economic emancipation of women.
The deputy governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, during the UN Women and Partners ‘Open Day event held in Kaduna, expressed appreciation to UN Women for their continued support and partnership in advancing gender equality in Kaduna State.
The deputy governor explained that the state government is making strides towards a future where every woman and girl can achieve her full potential, free from the barriers of discrimination and inequality.
She said, “Until the contributions of women, who are half of the population, are accepted and utilised in national development, we shall continue to lose the ideas and efforts of half of our population. The more women are excluded in national development efforts, the less progress we make.
Let us hold hands together, men and women, and match forward to greater heights where humanity, not one gender, is the winner”.
According to her, the Kaduna government supported 800 girls with various kits to reduce the rate of adolescent girls dropping out of school. This challenge further exacerbates the inequality faced by women in the state.
“We are on track to build approximately 100 schools across Kaduna State by 2025. Many of these schools have already been commissioned, and several others were inaugurated for our one-year celebration. This is part of our broader effort to provide equal opportunities for our girl-child”.
Earlier in her address, the country Representative to UN Women Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said, “In Nigeria, UN Women design and implement interventions that contribute to the triple mandates of normative frameworks and standards, UN system coordination and operational work to mobilise urgent and sustained action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.
She said, “The ‘Open Day’ is a new initiative by UN Women and her partners aimed at making visible UN Women and Partners’ work, advocate and solicit political commitments from the state governor, legislator and other critical stakeholders towards advancing women representation, governance and leadership. The event will allow us to reflect on where more action is required and strengthen partnership and collaboration to expand our reach and impacts.”
She highlighted some of the achievements of UN women in Kaduna State, which include Affirmative Procurement Reform aimed at strengthening public institutions to implement gender responsive procurement practices and empowering women entrepreneurs to participate in public procurement opportunities effectively.
The commissioner of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hon. Rabi Salisu, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Dorcas Benjamin Tanko, disclosed that budgetary provisions were approved for the four Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in the state where survivors of SGBV are catered for.
She further said that four courts have been designated as Family Courts for the trial and prosecution of perpetrators of SGBV.
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