…Declares women empowerment a priority

The Kwara State Government has called for accelerated action for women’s development as it commemorates the 2026 International Women’s Day, noting that women’s empowerment is not just a gender issue but a priority for the administration.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, made this call during a programme held at the Ministry, stating that the theme, “Accelerated Action: Empowering Women, strengthening Communities”, reminds all that empowering women is the responsibility of everybody, which needs to be carried out with utmost urgency.

The Commissioner noted that evidence around the world has shown that when women are empowered, communities prosper, economies grow stronger, families become stable, and governance becomes inclusive and responsive.

Chief Afolashade also reiterated the commitment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to ending all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by strengthening the response system, supporting survivors, expanding awareness campaigns across the state and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of laws and accountability for perpetrators.

The Commissioner stressed that in protecting women and children, the state government has reviewed its Action Plan on the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, inaugurated the State Technical Working Group on GBV in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund, paid the counterpart fund for the Nigeria for Women Program-Scale Up Project and continues to support the economic needs of women through the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP).

Chief Afolashade commended the First Lady of Kwara State, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, for providing skills acquisition, start-up grants and financial support for women entrepreneurs, as well as establishing the Ajike People’s Support Centre.

The Emir of Shonga, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya, who was represented by Hon. Umar Shaba, commended the state government for its effort in empowering women, stating that women are strong drivers of economic development when given the opportunity.

Also, the Olojoku of Ojoku, His Royal Highness Oba AbdulRazaq Adegboyega, who was represented by Sir Ayodele Sijuwole, encouraged women to support each other in attaining set goals and objectives.

The Alangua Adewole, Alhaji Yusuf Yakubu, noted the need for continuous women empowerment, saying empowering women is tantamount to building a nation.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer, Save The Future of Children Initiative (SAFIN), Mr Olufemi Oyedeji, appreciated the state government for championing women-inclusive governance, stressing the need for sustained efforts to better protect women and children across the state.