WEE Policy Will Lift 2m Kano Women Out Of Poverty By 2029 – Govt

Kano State Government has disclosed that it will lift at least two million women out of poverty by 2029 through domestication and implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy.

The commissioner for Women, Children, and the Disabled, Kano State, Hajiya Aisha Lawal Saji, disclosed this in Kaduna at a two-day workshop for the validation of the women’s economic empowerment on the domestication of the WEE Policy.

The WEE validation workshop, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and the Disabled, is in collaboration with the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and supported by the Ford Foundation, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund. and the WEE Catalyst Fund Partners. It is a Wali Empowerment Initiative.

The commissioner, who was represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Alhaji Muntaka Iliyasu Yakasai, said domesticating the policy in Kano State is a commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment in the state.

While describing the policy as not just a programme, the commissioner added that the state has viewed the WEE policy as a vision that will enable every woman in Kano state to pursue her dreams, contribute to the economy, and enhance the welfare of her family members.

“In Kano State, we understand that empowering women is not just a matter of social justice, but it is a key driver of sustainable development. When you invest in women, you are investing in families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” she added.

The commissioner, however, commended partners, donors, and other civil society for their commitment and investment in the domestication of the policy, hoping that they will support in investing in the implementation of the policy when it is launched next year.

“We will engage in a thorough review of our existing strategies, assess the effectiveness of our plans in the future, share our thoughts, and learn from one another as we strive to create a more supportive and enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, workers, and caregivers in Kano state,” she added.

Earlier, the executive director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Dr Judith Ann Walker, represented by the director of Partnership and Communications, Hassan Aliyu Karofi, described the WEE policy as a catalyst for national development and growth, adding that when domesticated and implemented, the Policy will contribute 30% of the economic growth of Kano State.

In her presentation at the event, the executive director of IWEI, representing the WEE Catalyst Fund Partner (Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative and Fable Advisory), Hajiya Amina Hanga, urged the state government to ensure the full and effective implementation of the policy when domesticated and pledged her organisation’s support.