Kwara State has become the first in Nigeria's North Central region to officially adopt the National Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, signaling a strong commitment to advancing gender equality and boosting women's participation in the economy.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq unveiled the policy on Wednesday in Ilorin, highlighting its potential to dismantle barriers that limit women's access to government contracts, leadership roles, and financial resources. He urged stakeholders to invest in women's education, skills, and businesses, emphasizing that women's full inclusion is essential for the state's growth.
The launch was organized by the Office of the First Lady, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, in collaboration with Ajike People's Support Centre and Eden Venture Group. The event drew key stakeholders from across government, civil society, and traditional institutions.
Kwara State has already established a reputation for championing gender inclusion, with initiatives like the Gender Composition Bill—which mandates 35% women in appointed roles—and the establishment of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The Governor also credited the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act as part of his administration's broader gender reform.
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The First Lady emphasized that the new WEE policy represents a collective effort to remove the systemic barriers that hinder Nigerian women from economic participation. Through consistent reforms, Kwara is creating an enabling environment for women to thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders.
Stakeholders at the launch—including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, local government officials, and traditional rulers—praised the policy as a major step toward sustainable economic development. They emphasized that empowering women has a direct impact on communities and the broader economy.
The new policy aims to provide a structured, inclusive framework to unlock the economic potential of women and girls in Kwara and serve as a model for other states in the region.
