By Justina Auta
Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen on Tuesday, said that the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG) could not be achieved if women were neglected.
Tallen said this in a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson Director, Mr Oluujimi Oyetomi in Abuja after a meeting with teams from Pathfinder International.
According to her, the ministry will have made faster progress at advocacy and economic services intervention on behalf of women if it had budgetary provisions.
“Dearth of financial provisions to address issues such as economic empowerment of women, Gender-mainstreaming and Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) is hindering the ministry.
She revealed that support from EU, UN and achievement of her ministry in advocacy for women rights, political and administrative inclusiveness would not have been possible considering the cost and political involvement.
Tallen commended the team for its works in Nigeria, and expressed her commitment towards the campaign for behavioural change and policy advocacy.
According to her, the campaign will also support the implementation of sustained calls for action on gender inequalities.
“Other issues include to promote policies that are supportive of the agency, women, girls and marginalised groups; identify and support opportunities to increase agency of women and girls for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The campaign is aimed at deepening awareness and builds momentum for gender equality, call for contemporary measures to tackle persisting challenges affecting SDGs.
The Pathfinder International team was led by Dr. Amina Dorayi, joined by She Forum Africa, Ms Ininfon Etuk Pathfinder in Abuja.
