Kano State to Lift 2m Women Out of Poverty by 2029 with WEE Policy
By Hussaina Yakubu
December 05, 2024
The Kano State Government has pledged to lift over two million women out of poverty by 2029 through the domestication and implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy.
Hajiya Aisha Lawal Saji, Commissioner for Women, Children, and the Disabled in Kano, disclosed this on Thursday during a two-day validation workshop on the WEE policy in Kaduna.
The workshop, organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), was supported by the Ford Foundation, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, and the WEE Catalyst Fund Partners, including the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative.
The commissioner represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muntaka Yakasai, the commissioner said the policy would enable women in the state to contribute meaningfully to economic development and improve their family welfare.
“Empowering women is not just a matter of social justice but a driver of sustainable development. Investing in women means investing in families, communities, and the nation,” she said.
She commended partners and donors for their contributions to the policy’s domestication and urged continued support for its implementation, which is scheduled to commence next year.
She Highlighted the government’s commitment, “We will review our strategies, assess the effectiveness of our plans, and create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, workers, and caregivers in Kano State.”
Dr. Judith Walker, Executive Director of dRPC, represented by Hassan Karofi, Director of Partnership and Communications, described the WEE policy as a catalyst for economic growth, with the potential to contribute 30% to Kano State’s economic development.
Similarly, Hajiya Amina Hanga, Executive Director of the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative and representative of the WEE Catalyst Fund, called for the full and effective implementation of the policy and pledged her organization’s support to ensure its success.
She said ,the WEE policy aims to provide women in Kano State with opportunities to achieve their aspirations, contribute to economic growth, and build sustainable livelihoods.(NAN)