Gender advocates across the country say investing in women is imperative if accelerated growth and development, which are key targets of Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals are to be met.
While the SDGs five aims at achieving gender equality by ending all forms of discrimination, violence and any harmful practices against women and girls, eight seeks to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men by 2030.
he advocates said when a woman is empowered, a whole nation is empowered, noting that economic and educational empowerment of women will go a long way in boosting Nigeria’s economy.
The Founder and Executive Director, She Forum Africa, Inimfon Etuk, said women generally are custodians of grassroots economies anywhere in the world and have proven this in many world economies.
“Women are the custodians of grassroots economies. Everything that affects her wholesome well-being from health, education, security to sustainable livelihoods has direct bearings on the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, hence investment in women is key,” she added.
According to her, with six years to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 target for achieving the SDGs on gender equality and economic sustainability, “rejection of the Gender Bills by the 9th Assembly brought to glaring light the fact that there is still a wide gap in understanding the economic imperative for women’s empowerment in a country the size of Nigeria.”
