By Abubakar Yunusa
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa has called on governments to implement gender-responsive policies and ensure equal access to education, finance, and leadership opportunities, saying such measures could add $12 trillion to the global economy by 2025.
Speaking at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Business Meeting in Abuja on Sunday, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, Munasawa, represented by Khadija Ali, a presidential aide on industry, stressed that gender equality is not just a women’s issue but a societal and economic imperative.
“Studies show that closing the gender gap could add $12 trillion to the global economy by 2025. To achieve this, we must all play our part,” she said.
“Governments must implement gender-responsive policies, businesses must commit to diversity and inclusion, and civil society must challenge cultural norms that limit women’s potential.”
Munasawa highlighted the role of creative industries in advancing gender equality, saying she had witnessed first-hand how art, culture, and tourism could empower women and drive inclusive economic growth.
However, she acknowledged that systemic barriers continued to hinder women’s full participation in various spheres of life.
“Africa is a continent of resilience and promise, and Nigerian women are at the heart of our national progress,” she said.
“Yet, the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report ranks Nigeria 124th out of 146 countries, with a gender gap closure rate of just 62.5%. This represents millions of women being denied access to opportunities that could unlock their full potential.”
She called for a shift from gender-neutral policies to intentional strategies that actively level the playing field, as well as greater representation of women in cultural narratives.
“The media and entertainment industries must challenge outdated stereotypes and promote diverse, empowering representations of women,” she said.
“When women see themselves in leadership roles, they are inspired to pursue their own ambitions fearlessly.”
In her keynote address, Dr Stella Okotete, Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), underscored the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in the push for gender equality.
“We must challenge social and cultural norms together,” she said.
“We must also strengthen legal protections, ensuring the enforcement of laws against gender-based violence, discrimination, and workplace inequality.”
Okotete urged institutions to be held accountable for implementing gender-responsive policies while calling on women to support one another.
“We must lead the crusade for gender equality by loving and supporting one another. Women in workplaces should see each other as sisters and partners, not competitors,” she said.
She also highlighted progress made by young women in Nigerian politics, noting that female commissioners were now serving in 20 states, alongside young female legislators and councillors in several All Progressives Congress (APC)-governed states.
“We are witnessing a new wave of female leadership in Nigeria, and we must continue to build on this momentum,” she said.
JCI Aso’s 2025 local president, Ambassador Felix Akinyemi, said the event served as a reminder of the remarkable progress women had made across various fields, including science, technology, business, and leadership.
“While we recognise the incredible progress made towards empowering women, we also acknowledge the work that still lies ahead,” he said.
He noted that the event featured a dynamic panel session with inspiring women driving positive change in their communities and a keynote speech aimed at accelerating action towards gender inclusivity.
“At JCI Aso, we believe that empowering women is essential to empowering our community. We are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” he added.
