FG unveils 2030 gender equality roadmap

Nigeria's Federal Government, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and UN Women, has officially launched the Nigeria Gender Profile and Roadmap to Equality 2030. This initiative aims to tackle gender disparities across the nation by providing a clear, evidence-based picture of the current state of gender equality and a strategic framework for achieving national goals by the year 2030.

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Gender equality is not a concession; it is a sound investment in the strength of our nation.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the roadmap as a dual-purpose document. It presents an honest assessment of gender equality in Nigeria while also outlining practical steps needed to meet national commitments. She emphasized that gender equality is not merely a social objective but a vital investment in the country's future, asserting that empowering women and girls through equal access to education, finance, leadership, and security leads to more stable families, resilient communities, and robust economic growth.

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When women and girls enjoy equal access to education, finance, leadership and security, families are more stable, communities are more resilient and the economy grows.

The roadmap, developed with significant support from the AfDB and UN Women, offers a comprehensive analysis of existing gender disparities. It identifies priority actions for addressing these issues. The Nigerian government is already implementing supportive measures through programs like the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions and the Nigeria for Women Programme, which have reportedly reached over 560,000 women.

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Gender equality is not a social objective. It is an economic imperative.

Abdul Kamara, Acting Vice President of the AfDB, echoed the sentiment, calling gender equality an "economic imperative." He stated that Nigeria cannot afford to leave half its population behind, as persistent inequalities in education, finance, employment, and leadership hinder inclusive growth and sustainable development. Kamara highlighted that closing these gender gaps could potentially unlock between two and three percent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product annually, driving significant economic transformation. He stressed that the critical challenge now lies in the effective implementation of the roadmap at scale.

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Nigeria cannot afford to leave half of its population behind.