By Oluwadamilola Akinduro
The five-day Ondo State Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Domestication Workshop ended with strategic recommendations to guide the development of an inclusive policy framework for advancing women’s economic participation in the state.
At the state Readiness Assessment and Validation Workshop, representatives of the thematic pillar groups presented key recommendations aimed at addressing barriers to women’s socio-economic advancement and promoting sustainable development.
The Education Pillar advocated improved access to quality education for women and girls, while emphasising the need to strengthen digital literacy, vocational education and technical skills development to enhance employability and entrepreneurship.
The Entrepreneurship Pillar recommended increased budgetary allocations for women-focused programmes, timely release of funds, and sustained grassroots sensitisation to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed policy.
Presenting its report, the Labour Market Pillar called for expanded digital skills training, deliberate job creation initiatives, and strengthened legal frameworks to increase women’s representation in governance, leadership, and formal employment.
The Emerging Industries Pillar highlighted opportunities in the digital economy, the blue economy, agribusiness, the green economy, mining, creative industries, and other high-growth sectors. It urged increased investment, improved access to finance, and stronger public-private partnerships to accelerate women’s economic participation in these sectors.
Similarly, the Agriculture Pillar recommended measures to improve women’s access to agricultural resources, quality inputs, financing, capacity-building programmes, and value chain opportunities to boost productivity and economic inclusion.
Speaking at the close of the workshop, Prof. Olabisi Aina, Lead Consultant on the Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, commended stakeholders for their active participation throughout the exercise.
She said the recommendations generated during the consultative sessions would serve as critical inputs in developing a practical and impactful Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy for Ondo State.
The successful conclusion of the workshop marks another milestone in the Ondo State Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to developing an inclusive, implementable, and sustainable Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of women and contributing to the state’s overall development.
The workshop was organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the State Government and hosted by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as part of ongoing efforts to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy at the state level.