Set stage for children’s future, Ohanenye advises on Women’s Day

The Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has called on women to set the stage for the future of their children, in line with contemporary global realities.

The Minister said this on Friday at a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day themed: ‘Count Her In Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment.’

She stated that women worldwide are critical stakeholders in the growth and development of children and that it behoves Nigerian women to equip themselves with relevant skills that will enable them to set the stage for their children’s future.

“We must set the stage right for the future of our children. Let us together set the pace for change in Nigeria. I implore you to join forces with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration to build the nation, not only for ourselves as women but more importantly for the future of our children,” she said

While urging the women to speak against any action that will thwart the growth and development of the children, Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye also advised them not to relent in their efforts to ensure that every woman in the country keys into the Ministry’s empowerment schemes to enable them to earn and cater for their families and contribute positively to the growth and development of the nation

She observed that funds that flow into the country for women and children are misused as people negotiate for what will add little or no value to their lives.

 If this change is not effected early, the Minister observed further, ‘we will have no economic future to pass unto our children.”

Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye, therefore enjoined women in the country to form cooperative societies, which she said would provide them with the opportunity to

be onboarded into the E-Commerce Portal, an initiative of the Ministry that will enable them to access grants for sustainable empowerment.

She added that the Scheme also provides women with the opportunity to acquire equipment that will enable them to commence business transactions and become entrepreneurial, self-reliant and economically strong, not only to support their families but also give them a voice to speak against societal practices that affect the lives of their children negatively.