The Plateau State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women’s inclusion and economic advancement as part of efforts to ensure that no woman is left behind in the state’s development agenda.
The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Panglang Dafur, through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Rebeccah Shaseet, during a courtesy visit by the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Consultant of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Asmau B. Leo, at the Commissioner’s Office in Jos.
Barr. Shaseet described the Women Economic Empowerment initiative as a significant opportunity to deepen the state’s commitment to improving the welfare of women and girls across Plateau State.
She noted that the ministry remains focused on implementing programmes and policies that encourage women’s economic participation, support entrepreneurship, and create opportunities for vulnerable women to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
The Permanent Secretary further expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders to ensure the successful domestication and implementation of the Women Economic Empowerment policy in the state.
Earlier, Dr. Asmau B. Leo disclosed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is championing the domestication of the Women Economic Empowerment policy across the country.
She explained that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with key stakeholders, developed policy frameworks that have since been adopted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to guide the implementation process in states.
According to her, the initiative aims to support all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in adapting the policy to their peculiar realities and development priorities.
Dr. Leo revealed that Plateau State is among the 15 pilot states selected for the first phase of the policy domestication exercise. She added that her five-day assignment in the state includes engagements with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to facilitate the process.
She explained that the WEE policy is anchored on five strategic pillars: Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Traditional Labour Market, Education and Skills Development, and Young Women in the Formal Sector.
Dr. Leo commended the Commissioner and the ministry for their cooperation and support, describing the engagement in Plateau State as productive and encouraging.
The meeting ended with an interactive session where directors and staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development sought clarifications and made contributions towards the successful implementation of the policy.I can also provide a shorter social media version and a Facebook caption to promote the story.
