In a resounding commitment to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, Kaduna State Government is taking significant strides towards a brighter future.
Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, made this clear during her address at the Private Sector Forum on Gender Responsive Supply Chains in Kaduna State.
The event, organized in collaboration with UN Women, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Zamani Foundation, signifies a pivotal moment in the state’s development agenda.
Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe emphasized that gender equality and women’s empowerment are not just moral imperatives but also potent economic strategies.
Kaduna State, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, shares this conviction with UN Women, the African Development Bank, and the Zamani Foundation.
The focus here is on gender-responsive procurement, a catalyst for positive change throughout the value chain via inclusive sourcing and supplier diversity.
The Private Sector Forum centered on Gender Responsive Supply Chains aligns with UN Women’s program on Women Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement in West Africa.
This initiative aims to empower women economically by enacting policy reforms, strengthening public sector institutions, and building the capacity of women-owned and women-led businesses to access procurement opportunities in several West African nations, including Nigeria.
The Kaduna State Government reaffirms its unwavering support for women’s empowerment through an array of policies, programs, legislations, and activities designed to enhance the well-being of women.
Notably, on the 28th of October 2022, Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with UN Women and the Norwegian Government, inaugurated three impactful programs:
Advancing Women’s Participation: This program seeks to bolster women’s active involvement in politics, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions recognized.
Women, Peace, and Security: Fostering peace and security, particularly for women, is paramount in building a stable and prosperous society.
HeForShe Campaign: Kaduna State embraces the HeForShe campaign, calling on men to stand in solidarity with women for a more equitable society.
Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe reiterated, “If we want to make progress as a country, we must liberate half of our population, which consists of women, from being undermined, underutilized, and de-humanized.”
The AfDB-UN Women program titled “Women Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement in West Africa” is seen as a game-changer, holding the potential to significantly impact the lives of countless women entrepreneurs and workers in Kaduna State and beyond.
The Deputy Governor assures UN Women and all stakeholders of Kaduna State Government’s wholehearted commitment to collaborate effectively, ensuring the successful implementation and far-reaching impact of this program.
She urges women business owners in the state to register with the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority, the agency responsible for implementing the project in the state.
In preparation for the Affirmative Procurement Reform in Kaduna State, Engineer Sanusi Aminu Yero, Director General of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority, announced the agency’s efforts in drafting a comprehensive policy framework.
Sensitization campaigns are underway, engaging relevant stakeholders across the state to ensure a seamless transition into this transformative initiative.
