How to protect Nigerian women, by minister

MINISTER of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, has said that for the country to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as achieve the Vision 20-2020, efforts must be made to institute legal and constitutional reforms that would promote the principles of non-discrimination, protection and promotion of women.

She also stressed the need to establish the framework for gender responsiveness in all public, private sector policies and programmes.

Addressing a forum of women-focused non-governmental organisations yesterday in Abuja, the minister called for the review, domestication and implementation of international and regional conventions that advance the rights of women and the girl-child.

She also canvassed increasing women’s access to paid employment, land, credit and other productive resources by 80 per cent by 2020.

Maina said that given the prominent place of economics in national development and the fight against poverty, “it is important that women’s participation is increased in all key economic institutions and decision-making bodies”.

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By Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja