First lady joins forces with UN to empower women, end gender-based violence, child labour in Nigeria

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed her readiness to partner with the United Nations and its sister agencies to address various areas of concern including role of women in public life, increased participation in economy, ending gender based violence, child labor and the scourge of out school children.

The first lady made the pledge when the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, and his team paid her a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.

Mr. Schmale promised on behalf of his organization to collaborate with the office of the First Lady knowing her antecedents, especially in the areas of women and children.

He said the UN is aware of President Bola Tinubu’s stand on improving the economic situation in the country and is in support of this.

“One issue is the role of women in public life and we are very keen on it as you. We offer our support significantly in increasing the number of women in public life in Nigeria.

“Secondly, it is our understanding that the president has made the economy an important stone, again we know that women play a key role in the economy considering food and security as a national emergency.

“We are ready to explore what more we can do to support the government and your excellence in increasing the role of women in the economy and revitalizing the economy,” he said.

Schmale further said that the UN would support the first lady in ensuring that issues like polio, out-of-school children, child labour and violence against women are brought to the minimal level.

He added: “The third issue is violence. Forrmer president Mohammadu Buhari had three years ago declared violence against women and children a national emergency. Again, we are offering support to the UN family in overcoming this emergency.

“Finally, there are issues around children, that we think are of particular importance, the issue of school children out of learning environment and the issue of over 15 million children under the age of 14 in child labour in Nigeria obviously needs attention.”

The first lady in her response, said her office is ready to accept the UN offer, saying all they have stated are areas she remains passionate about and they are of importance to her.

She said her National Programme, Renewed Hope Initiative, is also taking all the issues into cognizance.

She advised that women should also stop looking down on themselves but improve on themselves.

“I want more women in the decision making positions like legislative arms because if laws are not changed, this would be the same game continuously.

“However, are the women ready to sacrifice? We are the ones that need to stand to help ourselves.

“Education is very vital and I don’t believe that a woman cannot get all that she wants once she is educated but our focus on education is for all both boys and girls and even less privileged women,” she said.