Kano To Lift 2m Women Out Of Poverty – Commissioner
By Hussaina Yakubu, Kaduna
The Kano State Government has pledged to lift over two million women out of poverty by 2029.
Hajiya Aisha Lawal Saji, Commissioner for Women, Children, and the Disabled, said this in Kaduna on Thursday during a two-day validation workshop on the WEE policy.
The workshop was organized by her ministry in collaboration with development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), supported by Ford Foundation, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, and the WEE Catalyst Fund Partners, including Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative.
She said that the government would pursue the empowerment of the two million through strict implementation of the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy.
“Empowering women is not just a matter of social justice but a driver of sustainable development. Investing in women means investing in families, communities, and the nation,” the commissioner, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muntaka Yakasai, said.
Aisha said the implementation of the policy would enable women in the state to contribute meaningfully to economic development and improve their families’ wellbeing.
She commended partners and donors for their contributions to the domestication of the policy and urged support for its implementation with effect from 2025.
“We will review our strategies, assess the effectiveness of our plans, and create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, workers, and caregivers in Kano State,” the commissioner assured.
Dr. Judith Walker, Executive Director of dRPC, represented by Hassan Karofi, Director of Partnership and Communications, described the WEE policy as a catalyst for economic growth, with the potential to contribute 30% to Kano state’s economic development.
Similarly, Hajiya Amina Hanga, Executive Director, Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative, and the representative of the WEE Catalyst Fund, called for full and effective implementation of the policy and pledged her organization’s support to ensure its success.
She said that the WEE policy aims to provide women in Kano State with opportunities to achieve their aspirations, contribute to economic growth, and build sustainable livelihoods.
