Kaduna orgarnises workshop on women empowerment policy

By Nafisatu Garba In a decisive step towards advancing inclusive economic development, the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development (MHSSD), supported by Dev-Afrique Development Advisors, has convened a high-level sensitization workshop to drive effective implementation of the State’s Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan. Held in Kaduna, the workshop brought […]

By Nafisatu Garba

In a decisive step towards advancing inclusive economic development, the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development (MHSSD), supported by Dev-Afrique Development Advisors, has convened a high-level sensitization workshop to drive effective implementation of the State’s Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan.

Held in Kaduna, the workshop brought together diverse stakeholders from government ministries, private sector organisations, civil society groups, and women leaders representing all 23 local government areas.

Organisers said it was aimed to increase awareness and deepen understanding of the Kaduna State WEE Policy, which was launched in November 2024 by Governor Uba Sani, while fostering collaboration to accelerate impactful implementation.

 

The WEE Policy represents a commitment by the Kaduna State Government to expand economic opportunities for women, address systemic barriers to inclusion, and harness women’s potential for state-wide prosperity. This initiative is funded by the Gates Foundation through the WEE Catalyst Fund, with Dev-Afrique serving as local implementation partner to Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG).

In her welcome address, the Commissioner of MHSSD, Hajiya Rabi Salisu Ibrahim, reaffirmed the Ministry’s mission to translate policy into tangible improvements in women’s lives.

She emphasized the urgency of bridging gaps in access to finance, markets, and networks, urging participants to champion the policy within their respective communities and sectors.

The Commissioner also called on women entrepreneurs to register for the disbursement of the ₦5 billion empowerment grant — committed by Governor Uba Sani during the policy launch in November 2024 — which aims to support women’s economic empowerment.

The ministry plans to initiate disbursements to women registered under cooperatives or clusters, with a target of 10,000 registrations. However, only 2,000 had registered so far, prompting the ministry to further encourage more women and entrepreneurs to register.