Nigerian Women need to collaborate, integrate themselves into political machinery, put themselves forward for elections and remain undeterred in the pursuit of women’s empowerment.

Nigeria’s Minister for Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the  ongoing in New York, organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as part of activities for the CSW 69.

The Minister stressed the need to have women contest for political positions to ensure an increase in the number of women in the nation’s National Assemblies whether they win or not.

She further charged Nigerian Women Leaders to learn to discipline their supporters while progressing, noting that women need to rise up to the occasion due to the dire need of change for Nigerians, especially children.

The Minister charged gender activists to move from activism, to real time political participation to achieve the much needed change and progress in the gender space.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim pointed out that on assumption of duty at the Women’s Affairs Ministry, she toured various states to understudy the scenarios of SGBV, abuse for women and children, reaffirming her determination to collaborate to ensure strong systems and structures, to protect women and children because though government can’t do it alone, it must put solid systems in place.

She noted that when women are empowered economically, they rise above the Sexual and Gender Based Violence rader and celebrated the progress made so far by Nigerian Women in various sectors.

To equip Nigerian women with the needed tools for wealth creation, she said that, it would be addressed educationally from the stem, roots and the bloom phase and through second chance education.

The Minister added that the Ministry of Women Affairs is also working with the Federal Capital Territory, to pilot The Women’s Agro-Value Expansion Programme (WAVE) to empower women in agriculture; while prospecting to collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the extractive industry, to empower Nigerian Women in the nano and small businesses who are not able to access funds to upscale.

 She added

Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring a better deal for Nigerian women through collaborations with all sectors of the economy.

She expressed the hope.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Maryam Kenshiro restated the Ministry’s determination to accelerate action to empower Nigerian Women, urging them to rise up to the challenge.

“For Nigeria, this event is more than just a celebration. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the pursuit of achievable and sustainable development.” Kenshiro said

The event features an array of Nigerian Women and Men from various sectors sharing their stories in various curated panels showcasing the power of Nigerian women, performances and exhibitions.