By Sarah NEGEDU
Nigeria’s Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has rallied global support for women’s economic empowerment, describing it as one of the surest ways to reduce poverty, achieve equity, and foster lasting peace.
The minister made the call while addressing an economic empowerment forum for women political leaders and economic experts on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Mahmoud, in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Austine Elemue, on Monday, said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had made gender inclusion and youth development a priority, creating opportunities for women to thrive as entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders.
She also used the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of the FCT Administration, to building an enabling environment where women could fully contribute to national development.
According to her, giving women access to finance, skills, and markets, societies would be investing in the transformation of families, communities, and nations.
She commended the organizers of the forum for providing a platform where ideas, policies, and strategies could converge to accelerate progress on women’s empowerment.
Part of the statement quoted the minister saying that, “This gathering underscores the truth that gender equality is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and financing inclusive growth is a responsibility we must all shoulder.
“This platform is not only timely but also pivotal in our collective pursuit of inclusive growth, sustainable peace, and the promotion of human rights.”
The New York forum, themed “Scaling Women’s Economic Empowerment: Financing Inclusive Growth for Peace, Development, and Human Rights,” drew policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for breaking barriers facing women across the globe.
