UN women seek private sector support for women empowerment

The United Nations (UN) Entity for Gender Equality women have commenced the process of forging strategic partnerships with the private sector in Nigeria towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN women representatives, held an interactive platform with leaders of the private sector in Lagos to gain a better understanding of UN Women’s work in Nigeria, and how to enhance the involvement and impact of businesses in achieving sustainable development in the country through the advancement of women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Speaking at the forum, the UN Women’s Representative to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Comfort Lamptey said, investing in gender equality has been lauded by many as ‘smart economics’ that not only increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but also contributes to building an enabling environment for business and sustainable development.

“Investing in SDG five on gender equality will facilitate the implementation of all the SDGs in Nigeria, which will also advance business and economic goals in Nigeria,” She added.

Also speaking, the Chief Africa Section, UN Global Impact, New York, Olajobi Makinwa noted that women are change agents, just as their engagement in economic development is vital globally.

According to her, the private sector actors in Nigeria are increasingly recognizing the importance of empowering women as an important consumer segment, just as the sector is playing a strategic role in implementing the SDGs by shaping Human Resource policies that will advance women empowerment in and also create awareness on the SDGs and gender equality in the country.

In her remark, the UN Women Consultant and Strategic Policy Adviser, Thelma Ekiyor, stressed that, despite the major advancements in women’s empowerment in the country, the poverty level among women remains higher than men.