President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that he is fully committed to appointing more women into leadership positions, both at national and international institutions.
Buhari gave the assurance when he received National and International Working Groups of the Supporting Advancement of Gender Equity (SAGE) Initiative to commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.
The President commended the group for their invaluable contributions in sustaining the socio-economic fabric of the country, from the corridors of decision making to rural communities.
“This administration places a premium on promoting women’s inclusiveness in National Development as we have demonstrated with those holding key portfolios in this administration.
“They include: Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of State for Environment,’’ he said.
The president said other positions given to women include: Minister of State for Transportation, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chair, Federal Character Commission, and Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“I am very proud of the achievements of my former Minister for Environment and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Fatima Mohammed Kyari as the African Union Permanent Observer to the United Nations and the newly elected Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“We will continue to support them to succeed. And we shall continue to advocate for our women who qualify to lead international fora,’’ the president pledged.
According to him, women are a credible force in strengthening democracy and promoting the culture of peace and food security.
“I am most grateful for the role women have played and continue to play in our Government.’’
Buhari noted that the theme for 2021 International Women’s Day, ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World’, called for more concerted efforts and Nigeria would be more than ever committed to join in raising the bar for women’s representation at all levels.
“This administration has demonstrated this by engaging in intense diplomacy to support the aspirations of Nigerian women to provide leadership at the global stage.
“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant problems, including the spike in gender-based violence, this administration promptly responded by declaring zero tolerance to Gender-Based Violence in the country.
“I have since directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in collaboration with the Minister of Women Affairs to immediately inaugurate an Inter-Ministerial Gender Based Violence Management Committee to address all forms of violence against women and children in the country.
“This body is already in place and running,’’ he said.
The president also said he had approved that 45 per cent of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Funds be reserved exclusively for women, while five per cent go to other vulnerable groups, apart from the immediate palliatives targeting them.
“We have also expanded our social intervention programmes to further address the needs of the most vulnerable women in our society.
“This body is already in place and running,’’ he said.
