Zulum Champions Women Empowerment To Curb Insecurity

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno says government at all levels must assist and encourage empowerment programmes for women to help them raise their voices against insecurity.

Zulum made the call on Thursday at  the closing ceremony of the 22nd National Women’s Conference, with the theme: ”Spring Forth, Stand Out”, organised by the Committee Of Wives Of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in Lagos.

Represented by the Attorney-General of Borno , Hauwa Abubakar, the governor said that empowering women would ensure that they remained knowledgeable and speak against insecurity.

According to him, women empowerment will help to pull them and Nigerians out of poverty.

”I wish to appeal to government at all levels in the country and donor agencies to encourage and assist women empowerment programmes, so as to bring about the much needed development.

”COWLSO must have been informed by the urgent need to take action to not only empower women but to handle all the forces that stifle the development of many enterprising young women in Lagos State.

”Women are usually confronted with socio-cultural hurdles that prevent their participation in governance and development.

”These hurdles undermine women’s ability to fully contribute to societal development, which is exacerbated by poverty and lack of skills and formal education in our communities.

”We must strive hard to improve the situation of young women in Lagos state  and Nigeria by collaborating with well meaning individuals, groups and organisations,” he said.

Zulum said that community leadership and civic engagement skills were essential tools that would enable young women to participate in governance and development.

According to a NAN report, he also alled for collective action by men, women and youths in addressing existing barriers, which needed to be surmounted to generate more innovative and effective outcomes.

He noted that young women need to be seen as partners in governance and development, hence, the men should change their negative beliefs and attitude toward young women.

The Borno governor said that young women should be given the skills and education that would enable their participation in governance.

”I, therefore, urge all the state governments to create and facilitate conducive environment for young women to realise their potentials.

”I also call on governments at all levels to campaign assiduously against the trafficking of young women and children, with a view to preventing this ugly trend and inhuman activity.

”The issues of social welfare as a way of pulling many Nigerians out of poverty and tackling insecurity must therefore,  be increased through women empowerment which is one of the key objectives of the committee.

”It is vital to empower young women by supporting them to handle their educational and professional lives, so as to enhance their ability to raise their voices against violence,” he said.