By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday said no society can achieve its full potential without harnessing the talents and contributions of its women and girls.
Consequently, the government has announced the convocation of a two-day Gender Inclusion Conference tagged Project #Sheisincluded, with the theme “Breaking barriers, building resilience for sustainable women’s economic and financial inclusion.”
Briefing State House correspondents at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, disclosed that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, are among those expected to present speeches at the occasion.
Shettima said the conference will be held on Thursday and Friday at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, and some technical and financial experts will attend.
He said, “The conference will provide a platform to address pressing challenges related to women’s economic empowerment and inclusion from a holistic perspective.
“This flagship initiative is part of implementing the recommendations of the Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion. It serves as a pivotal platform to promote dialogue, collaboration, and actionable solutions to empower women and address critical issues of gender equality across Nigeria and the African continent.
“The #Shesincluded initiative is a direct offshoot of the Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion, signed on April 25, 2024, under the leadership of His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“The Accord serves as a strategic framework aimed at leveraging a holistic approach to addressing economic and financial inclusion challenges in Nigeria.”
He said that the conference represents a critical milestone in the collective journey toward gender equity, financial inclusion, and attaining the target of SDG 5 in Nigeria, among other goals.
“This transformative summit underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing economic inclusion for women and underserved communities nationwide. It also aligns with this administration’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, equitable opportunities, and the active participation of women in national development.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we recognize that no society can achieve its full potential without harnessing the talents and contributions of its women and girls.
“While the first day of the conference will focus on executive and technical sessions, the second day will focus on a gender masterclass for supply-side actors and a town hall meeting for demand-side actors.
“This conference will bring together an array of esteemed participants, including state governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, parliamentarians, diplomats, captains of industry, and development partners.
“Their presence will enrich discussions and strengthen our resolve to ensure no one is left behind in the journey toward a more inclusive Nigeria.
“The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima (GCON), will officially open the event, inaugurate the gender advisory group and launch the initiative #ShesIncluded.”
He said that the CJN, the UN Assistant Secretary General, and other high personalities would brainstorm the economic and financial challenges facing women and how to close the gap of women’s exclusion in economic development.
Present at the briefing is the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Dr Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, and Mrs Hauwa Liman, Technical Advisor to the Vice President on Women, Youth Engagement, and Impact
