By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
In a bid to mainstream gender inclusion into governance, the Ondo State Government has launched a structured action plan aimed at integrating women into the state’s socio-economic development agenda.
Tagged the O’Datiwa Women Initiative Blueprint, the 10-point agenda was unveiled in Akure by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Oluwaseun Osamaye, in what appears to be one of the most coordinated gender-responsive strategies rolled out by a subnational government in recent times.
Speaking at the launch held at the Babafunke Ajasin Conference Hall, Dr Osamaye said the initiative was developed to align with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s broader vision of inclusive governance and sustainable development, stressing that women across all strata, from teen girls to elderly widows, would benefit from the programmes.
“This is a deliberate attempt to move beyond peripheral inclusion. We are placing women at the heart of our development conversation,” she said.
The blueprint, which covers skills acquisition, maternal health outreach, support for widows and women with disabilities, entrepreneurship for market women and female farmers, campus sensitisation, adult education and teen mentorship, is expected to serve as a long-term reference framework for gender policy implementation in the state.
According to Dr Osamaye, the state government will work with civil society organisations, donor agencies and community leaders to ensure a decentralised rollout that caters for women in both urban and rural communities.
She added that the programme is not only a fulfilment of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s campaign promises, but also a strong message that women’s development is not an afterthought in the current administration.
“We are not waiting for women to come knocking, we are taking the intervention to their doorsteps,” the commissioner said.