The Nigerian government says it plans to streamline the implementation of the eleven objectives of the National Gender Policy on Agriculture to reduce the vulnerabilities of women.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Umakhihe while declaring a gender policy workshop open in Abuja, said the policy will enhance food security, chart a road map on roles, responsibilities of the stakeholders, and set timelines for the implementation of the programme.
He said the policy is also in line with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDGs, which underscores the vital role agriculture plays in sustainable development.
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According to Umakhihe, “gender mainstreaming is “Smart Economics” and a prerequisite for eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable human development.
He, therefore, assured that the Ministry and its agencies are committed to the socio-economic empowerment of women and girls in the sector.
Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture Production and Services, Dandutse Muntari, in his address at the workshop said the main targets of the policy are to ensure that men and women have equal access and control of resources, adding that the legislature will increase gender budgetary allocation to ensure gender mainstreaming in the implementation of the policy.
Key players represented at the event include UN Women in Nigeria, Action Aid, the Albino Foundation, and Small Scale Women Farmers who lauded the policy and promised to support the implementation.
Editor: Oloyede Oworu
