Hadiza's Blog

  Country President of YACW Network, Dr. Eunice Emmanuel   Women from across Africa have converged in Abuja for the Young African Women Network Congress, YACW network aimed at advancing economic women’s empowerment to the continents through Technology and Innovation. YACW Network Executive Chairman, Mr. Daniel Tuffuor, explained that the 2024 theme, Enhancing Women’s Economic Empowerment through Technology and Innovation, seeks to close the digital divide and leverage technology to elevate women's roles in Africa’s growth. Mr. Daniel noted that technology is a powerful driver of change in today’s world, emphasizing that Africa cannot afford to fall behind in the digital age. The Country President of YACW Network, Dr. Eunice Emmanuel, called on African countries to implement policies that support women’s empowerment in technology, driving sustainable development across the continent. "Today, we are called to action, not only to ensure that women are participants in the di...

The Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim receives the hand over note from the  Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda. By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has pledged her commitment to advancing women’s rights and empowerment as a key priority within President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Speaking at the Ministry of Women Affairs headquarters in Abuja upon her assumption of office, she emphasized the importance of the agenda in creating meaningful change for women across Nigeria. Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting her with this role, vowing to build on the work of her predecessors to drive forward policies that uplift women and foster development. “Today marks the beginning of a new era for every Nigerian woman, child, and vulnerable citizen, as I step into this role as the Minister of Women’s Affairs. I stand before you not only as a ...

  First on the Left: GSAI Programme Officer Grace Udie handing a copy of  GSAI Magazine to the Executive Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) team paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi. During the visit, GSAI’s Program Lead, representing the Executive Director, highlighted the critical role Abaji area council and its representatives play in addressing key issues on gender accountability and transparency.  This research forms part of the Gender, The Agenda collaborative media project, supported by the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism and the MacArthur Foundation. The purpose of the visit was also to hold the government accountable through channeled initiatives and gender budgeting in the area council. The Executive Chairman, appreciating the efforts of GSAI and her partners pointed out the role the area council has pla...

  The UN Women Nigeria, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has inaugurated a task team to implement the Charter of Demands by Nigerian Women for Political Parties. Speaking at the event in Abuja, the UN Women Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, emphasized the organization’s continued commitment to advancing women's rights in Nigeria’s political sphere. Represented by the Programme Officer for Peacebuilding and Prevention, Mrs. Susan Agada, Beatrice Eyong urged the newly established task team to take their assignment seriously in order to promote gender equality in politics. INEC’s Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Lakunya Bello, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for women politicians to actively participate in the electoral process. "This commitment underscores the collective efforts of political leaders to improve gender representation in governance and politics. Th...

  Oxfam exposes a staggering wealth gap in Nigeria in two comprehensive studies and urges the adoption of progressive wealth taxation and increased social investment to bridge the growing economic and social divide before a social bomb explodes. The two comprehensive studies, Income and Wealth Inequality in Nigeria: Trends and Drivers , and Taxing the Rich Fair Tax Monitor expose the deepening inequality crisis. Despite being the fourth-largest economy in Africa, the benefits of economic growth have largely been concentrated in the hands of a small elite, leaving millions of Nigerians trapped in poverty. Only 40 of the wealthiest Nigerians were found to be compliant taxpayers, according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT). This represents a compliance rate of just 0.035%, meaning that over 99% of Nigeria's wealthiest citizens evade or avoid paying taxes. Emphasizing the need for critical tax reform, John Makina, Country D...

  A report by the United Nations indicates that nearly 1 in 5 girls still do not complete lower-secondary education, and almost 4 in 10 fail to finish upper-secondary school. Also,   around 90% of adolescent girls   and young women in low-income countries lack internet access, while their male peers are twice as likely to be online. Globally, girls aged 5-14 years spend 160 million more hours each day on unpaid care and domestic work compared to boys of the same age. Adolescent girls also account for 3 in 4 new HIV infections among their age group, and nearly 1 in 4 married or partnered girls aged 15-19 have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner. These disparities affect crucial areas such as education, nutrition, legal rights, healthcare, and protection from discrimination, violence, and forced child marriage. With these challenges, coupled with the ongoing fight for gender equality, the world unites every October 11 to celebrate the Internatio...

  By Hadiza Abdulrahman  Stakeholders have called for increased empowerment of Women at the grassroots to bridge the gap with their urban counterparts to promote sustainable development. This was the focus at the 8th Voice of Women Conference and Awards, themed National Dialogue of Grassroots and Urban Women: Achieving Women's Inclusion for a Sustainable Nigeria. The Convener and Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 91.7FM, Mrs. Toun Sonaiya, urged women to unite in supporting female leaders to influence the desired change for the betterment of the Womenfolk. She urged President Bola Tinubu to back the 10th National Assembly in passing the 74 extra seats bill, aimed at enhancing women's political representation. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, noted the absence of safety nets for Nigerian women and called on women politicians to focus on addressing the needs of grassroots women, while advocating for ec...

Godswill Akpabio president of the Nigerian Senate   The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has extended its warmest congratulations to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on his conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "This esteemed honour bears eloquent testimony to your exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and outstanding contributions to Nigeria's progress," said Mrs. Geraldine Etuk, Acting National President of NCWS. Akpabio's tireless efforts as Senate President have significantly contributed  to the country's development, particularly in the areas of legislation, governance, and national unity. His commitment to fostering growth and prosperity for all Nigerians, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or geographical location, has been remarkable. "Your exemplary character, vision, and leadership style have inspired countless individuals, and we are grateful for your relentless pursui...

  The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), the umbrella organization for women's groups in Nigeria, warmly congratulates the Government and people of Nigeria on the occasion of the country's 64th Independence Day. This milestone bears eloquent testimony to Nigeria's resilience, strength, and determination to build a united, prosperous, and harmonious nation. As we celebrate this achievement, we honour the pioneers who fought tirelessly for our independence and paved the way for future generations. On behalf of the NCWS, I extend heartfelt congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, State Governors, and all stakeholders who have contributed to Nigeria's progress. We acknowledge the President's commitment to advancing women's empowerment and look forward to collaborating with his administration to address the pressing concerns of Nigerian women. NCWS is proud to announce its collaboration with Her Excellency, Senator Olur...