Nigeria is ranked 123 globally in gender inequality, according 2022 World Gender Gap report, as cited by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.
The minister expressed deep concern regarding the current socio-economic disparities between Nigerian women and men, emphasizing the urgent need for appropriate measures and policies to rectify this “imbalance.”
In a statement in Abuja by the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Ohaeri Joseph, said: “Worried by the present socio-economic status of Nigerian women in comparison with their male counterparts, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, has reiterated the urgent need for appropriate measures and policies to be put in place to address this imbalance, even as Nigeria is ranked 123rd globally, based on the 2022 World Gender Gap report.”
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The minister noted that “part of the issues that contribute to this gender inequality on economic status of Nigerian women is the present trend where some of the funds from development partners, such as the World Bank and UNICEF, are not properly channeled to change the status of vulnerable women and children”.
Addressing reporters on a wide range of issues bordering on empowerment of Nigerian women and the girl-child, Ohanenye recalled that “some Nigerian women at the rural levels who the funds are meant for, still suffer deprivation, and those who are into farming are subjected to still use their bare hands when they can be introduced to modernised equipmentk which will not only enhance their productive capacity but will also their socio-economic wellbeing”.
She added: “We cannot be doing things the old ways and expect better outcomes. Our women deserve to use modern equipment in farming, if their impact must be felt in growing the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
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“She also revealed the ministry’s plan to acquire modernised rice milling machines that will de-stone, de-chaff, parboil to ensure increased rice production, which will ensure food sufficiency in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy thrust in the Renewed Hope Agenda on food security.
“Still on the need to justify release of funds from foreign donors, the Women Affairs Minister advocated for proper accountability, transparency and the need for the funds to be accessed by the actual end users at the rural communities as this measure will reduce insecurity, poverty, inflation, and other social vices.
“On the rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria, Ohanenye compared 2018 report of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) of 10.5 million and the 2022 figure of 20 million and sought urgent government action to reverse this trend through empowerment of women with skill acquisition and vocational trainings, which will enhance their productive capacity, make them self-reliant and support their husbands to put their children through schools and thus reduce the number of children who are out of school in Nigeria.”