Cynthia Okere, Lagos, Nigeria – Nov 23, 2023
The United Nations (UN) Women has made a resounding plea for increased investment from the private sector to propel the empowerment of women and girls in Nigeria. This clarion call was sounded during the “Regional Dialogue with Private Sector on the Need to Advance Gender Equality and Women Empowerment” conference held in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
The conference, which convened representatives from several countries including Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Sénégal, and Sierra Leone, served as an advocacy engagement to mark the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism 2023.
Under the theme “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” the advocacy campaign urged citizens to demonstrate their commitment to ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to foster a world free from such violence.
Based on information from UN Women, Nigeria has emerged as the leader in the West and Central Africa region in terms of signatories to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). This signifies the private sector’s dedication to implementing practices and allocating resources to bolster Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE).
In her address, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the pivotal role the private sector plays in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“UN Women has collaborated with the private sector to create an enabling environment for women to access their full potential as economic actors, driving gender-responsive procurement, increasing access to finance for women business owners, and addressing violence against women and girls,” she explained.
Mrs. Amina Oyabola, the Founder and Chairperson of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), underscored the urgency of collective action among the government, civil society, and the private sector to address the substantial funding challenges obstructing the achievement of gender equality by 2030.
“Realizing true gender equality demands resolute and immediate action. Monumental challenges, especially in funding, persist. The additional investment needed for achieving gender equality by 2030 is estimated at USD 360 billion per year. A collective and active partnership among government, civil society, and the private sector is indispensable for tangible progress,” she emphasized.
The dialogue critically assessed the strategies for enhancing the 25 Million Dollar-Private Sector-Led Gender Based Violence (GBV) Fund, which was launched in September 2023 during an executive visit by the UN Women’s Regional Director, Maxime Houinato.
Furthermore, the regional dialogue facilitated panel discussions centered on fortifying collaboration with the private sector to expedite the pursuit of gender equality goals. These deliberations sought to inspire sustained investment in advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and preventing violence against women and girls.
The event was not only marked by intellectual discourse but also enlivened with dramatic presentations and cultural dances, leaving an indelible impression on all attendees.
