President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval for the Women Economic Empowerment Policy to be mainstreamed. The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, confirmed this news after the Federal Executive Council meeting, which was chaired by the President. The policy will ensure that women are represented in the decision-making process regarding economic programmes.
Dame Pauline Tallen, while speaking to reporters covering the presidency, explained that women make up more than half of the population, and as such, their participation is crucial for national development. She also added that if the women’s population is left out of the development process, the country would be operating unilaterally, like a person walking on one leg.
The Women Economic Empowerment Policy, abbreviated as WEE, is to enable women to have a mainstream voice in financial planning and ensure they are fully involved in nation-building projects. According to Dame Tallen, the policy dialogue had progressed for over a year, spanning across the country’s 36 states. Dialogues were held with rural dwellers and private sector individuals, with the goal of finding the best approach to women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
In her statement, Dame Pauline Tallen expressed her satisfaction that the dream of empowering women in the country was finally undersigned by the President’s approval of the WEE Policy. She further added that approving the policy was a parting gift from the President to Nigerian women.
In conclusion, the approval of the Women Economic Empowerment Policy would allow women to have better representation and control of their finances. This policy implements gender equality, bringing women to the mainstream of the country’s developments.
