Kano targets 6 million women for empowerment

The Kano State Government has revealed that six million women will economically be uplifted as the state formally unveiled Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy with the aim to lift more than six million women out of poverty by 2029 through improved access to finance, skills training and economic opportunities. Speaking on behalf of the state […]

The Kano State Government has revealed that six million women will economically be uplifted as the state formally unveiled Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy with the aim to lift more than six million women out of poverty by 2029 through improved access to finance, skills training and economic opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf during the official launching of the WEE project in the state, the Commissioner for Rural and Urban Development, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, described the initiative as a landmark effort aimed at promoting inclusive growth and economic participation for women across the state.

He said the policy represents a clear commitment by the state’s current administration to strengthen women’s role in economic development as a vital toll for sustainable development.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the governor’s development agenda known as “Our Commitment,” which focuses on inclusive governance and equal opportunities for citizens.

The commissioner noted that the government has already begun implementing empowerment programmes targeting women throughout the state.

He explained that under one of the initiatives, about 5,200 women from the 484 wards across Kano’s 44 local government areas receive N50,000 monthly to support small businesses and household economic stability.

“This programme is not charity but a strategic empowerment initiative designed to boost family income and encourage financial independence among women,” he said.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, said the policy demonstrates the government’s determination to improve the welfare of women and other vulnerable groups.

She described the launch as a fulfilment of promises made to women in the state, noting that the administration has increased funding and expanded programmes aimed at supporting women, children and persons with disabilities. 

Development partners also expressed strong support for the initiative.

In his address Barrister Umar I. Umar of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) said the policy was developed after extensive consultations with stakeholders including government agencies, civil society groups and international partners.

He noted that women at the grassroots level have long demanded greater access to economic resources, opportunities and institutional support to improve their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, a representative of TAJ Bank, Abdulrauf Ahmad Galadanci, announced that the bank would open accounts for 10,000 women in Kano to enhance financial inclusion.

Other development partners, including Global Affairs Canada, Albright Stonebridge Group and the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, also pledged their support for the successful implementation of the policy.