The Kano State government has announced plans to adopt and implement the national policy on Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) with the aim of restoring dignity and reducing economic deprivation among women in the state.
This initiative follows the Federal Government’s recent rollout of the WEE policy framework, designed to enhance the socio-economic status of women by providing equal opportunities for them to harness their full potential.
The WEE policy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation, and deprivation against women and girls. However, while the national policy provides a comprehensive framework, it requires state-level adaptation and legalization to be effective.
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At a recent Citizen Engagement event organized by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and supported by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), stakeholders discussed the domestication of the WEE policy in Kano. Participants included religious and traditional leaders, non-governmental organizations, women advocacy groups, and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), who expressed strong support for the initiative.
Stakeholders emphasized the importance of tailoring the Women Economic Empowerment policy to fit the unique cultural and religious context of Kano. Professor Aisha Abdul Ismail, Chairman of the High-Level Women Advocate for Girls Child Education in Kano, noted that while the policy is well-designed at the national level, it must be adapted to align with local cultural and religious norms to be effective in Kano.
Dr. Abdulsalam Kane, an economist, highlighted the challenge of accessing loan facilities from financial institutions, as the WEE policy currently provides. He pointed out that Islamic teachings prohibit loans with interest, suggesting the need for alternative financial strategies that comply with religious principles.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Aisha Saji, acknowledged that a significant percentage of women in Kano remain vulnerable to economic deprivation, poverty, and domestic violence. She assured stakeholders of the state government’s commitment to domesticating the WEE policy. She also noted that the state had already prioritized women’s empowerment, providing monthly distributions of N50,000 each to 5,200 women to alleviate poverty.
Ahmad Umar, Programme Officer at dRPC, stated that the center aims to facilitate a platform for stakeholders to thoroughly review the WEE policy and adapt it to suit Kano’s cultural, normative, and religious values. The collaboration aims to address the gaps identified and develop a robust strategy for implementing the WEE policy effectively in Kano.
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