Nigerian Government Launches National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan in May 2023: A Bold Step Towards Gender Equality and Economic Progress

In a momentous move towards advancing gender equality and fostering economic progress, the Nigerian government has introduced the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan. This comprehensive initiative aims to address the existing gender disparities in various sectors of the economy and provide a platform for women to thrive professionally and economically.

Under the leadership of the  Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs the WEE Policy and Action Plan have been carefully crafted in collaboration with industry experts, advocacy groups, and women’s organizations. The result is a groundbreaking framework that sets ambitious targets and outlines strategies to uplift women economically, ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes and creating an inclusive and empowering environment.

The key pillars of the National WEE Policy and Action Plan include:

Pillar One: Agriculture: Agriculture plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, and the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan recognizes the significance of women’s participation in this sector. Pillar One focuses on creating equal opportunities for women in agriculture by addressing various challenges and providing support for their active engagement.

Pillar Two: Entrepreneurship: The WEE Policy and Action Plan recognizes the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and job creation. Pillar Two focuses on promoting women’s entrepreneurship and addressing the challenges they face in starting and scaling their businesses.

Pillar Three: The Traditional Labour Market: The traditional labor market encompasses both the formal and informal sectors, where women often face gender-based discrimination and limited opportunities for advancement. Pillar Three aims to address these challenges and create an inclusive and equitable labor market for women.

Pillar Four: Emerging Industries: Recognizing the evolving nature of industries and the opportunities presented by emerging sectors, Pillar Four of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan focuses on enabling women’s participation and leadership in these industries. The objective is to ensure that women have equal access to the benefits and opportunities presented by emerging sectors.

Pillar Five: Education and Skill Acquisition: Education and skill acquisition are vital for empowering women and enabling their economic participation across all sectors. Pillar Five of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan focuses on promoting equitable access to quality education, vocational training, and skill development opportunities for women and girls.          

The implementation of the National WEE Policy and Action Plan will involve close collaboration between government agencies, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and women’s groups. A dedicated task force will be established to oversee the execution of the plan, monitor progress, and ensure accountability.

The introduction of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan reflects the government’s firm commitment to promoting gender equality and fostering an inclusive and prosperous society. By empowering women economically, the nation takes a significant stride towards harnessing the untapped potential and talent of half of its population, leading to sustainable development and shared prosperity.The government encourages all stakeholders to actively participate in this transformative journey, as together, we can build a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress. To download the report click here

AITRC 2
Author: AITRC 2



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