The Southern Sahara Social Development Organisation, (SSDO) has emphasized the need for economic empowerment of women to enable them function as change agents in their given environment.
It explained that when women are empowered, it will have a multiplier effect of not only improving their lives but could broaden economic growth and community development.
SSDO’s Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Ilechukwu represented by the Gender and Protection Programmes Lead, Blessing Uchendu stated during the official inauguration of Enugu Technical Working Group, TWG for Development of the Women Economic Empowerment Policy that governments should put deliberate effort aimed at empowering women.
Explaining that economic empowerment cannot be over emphasised, Illechukwu added: “Economic empowerment is more than a goal – it is a fundamental pillar of a vibrant and prosperous society. When women gain economic independence, they not only improve their lives but also drive broader economic growth and community development. The strength of any community is rooted in the empowerment of its members, and women are integral to this strength”.
He notes that a recent World Bank research showed that only 34% women-owned businesses compared to 66% of men, an indication that had made women empowerment a serious challenge that should be remedied.
He said that the meeting was crucial, “as we work towards domesticating the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy and developing a women economic empowerment policy that captures the needs and realities of women in Enugu State.”
He noted that the idea was not to develop a gender policy but a framework that ensures benefits accrue to Nigerian women in the economy, adding ” women are the backbone of our communities. When empowered, it tickles down and results in better educational outcomes for their children, enhanced healthcare anf a stronger sense of community.”
Ilechukwu pointed out that their preoccupation at SSDO is to foster a world where every person has equal access to opportunities through initiatives in education and good governance with a particular focus on women, youth and children.
Also speaking, Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Eni, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Nkechi Beatrice Ewoh, noted that women ought to be economically empowered for a better society.
She said that the Enugu State Government has done a lot to better the lot of women in the state through interventions programmes for women, children and people living with disabilities.