By Perpetua Onuegbu
An NGO, Nigeria Women Economic Development (NigWED) has partnered with the Belgium Embassy to accelerate inclusive economic empowerment for women and girls in the country.
The Director-General, NigWED, Dr Lugard Okonobo, said this at an event to commemorate International Women’s Day, organised by the Belgium Embassy and NigWED on Monday in Abuja.
Okonobo highlighted the need for accelerated actions for women and girls’ financial inclusion and economic empowerment on the sideline of the 2025 International Women’s Day commemoration.
Speaking about the theme for Year 2025: “Accelerate Action”, he said that it spoke volumes about the roles women played not only in advancing the global agenda for equality but also in driving positive change across every human’s sphere.
On his part, the Belgium’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, emphasised the need for societies where women are not silenced or punished for speaking up against harassment and discrimination.
Leenknegt reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to the “She Decides movement”, advocating for women’s right to choose their futures.
He promised to support Nigerian women’s empowerment through the Agriculture and Cooperative Financial Inclusion.
According to him, Belgium has stronger comparative advantage in hosting the International Cooperative Alliance Headquarters in Brussels.
Also, the Director, Association of Diplomatic Women in Nigeria, Ms Ruby Ross, called for accelerated action to empower women in agriculture, stressing the importance of strategic partnerships and global market access.
She said: “Women play critical roles in Nigeria’s labour force, making up 70 per cent of the agricultural workforce while still facing challenges such as financial exclusion, limited access to technology and land ownership.
“I, therefore, call for more support for women to own lands for agricultural purposes and more liberal laws in the area of financial inclusion and technological advancement.”
Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Munonso, the Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, said that when women thrive, societies prosper.
Ike-Munonso represented by Mr Chuks Ngaha, Director, Corporate Communications, emphasised the contributions women had made in the field of science, technology, engineering, and research.
He said that women had made their mark in Raw Materials Value Addition and Development, adding that the 2025 IWD served as a reminder that women are partners in progress and development.
A presidential aide, Hon. Judith Ogbara, reiterated G4EP’s efforts in providing innovative strategies to drive Gender Education, Engagement, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Programme.
Ogbara is the Chairperson, G4EP Initiative of the Presidency (Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement) and was represented by Ms Taibat Abdulrazak.
She noted that 30 years after the Beijing Declaration, women and girls still faced barriers that limited their potentials.
“G4EP initiative seeks to serve as a bridge to close the inter-generational gaps between women and girls to deepen the inclusion of female students in Leadership, Politics and Governance,” she said.
Also speaking, House of Representative Members, Mr Ahmed Saba, Chairman, Nigeria-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship and Mr Makinde Peter, Chair on Human Rights, promised to provide legislative support to drive bills promoting women’s rights and development in Nigeria.
The highlight of the event was the award of the “He-She-Diplomat” to the Belgium ambassador, Mr Ahmed Saba and Mrs Edesili Arani, the Administrator, Edo State Governor’s First Lady’s Office.
Arani was awarded, alongside other women who had distinguished themselves in advancing women’s right, empowerment and gender equality. (NAN)
