News
Gender Inclusivity Crucial for Nigeria’s Fight Against Poverty – Dr Tunji Alausa
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Morufu Tunji Alausa, has called for decisive and innovative actions to tackle the intertwined challenges of gender inequality and poverty in Nigeria and across Africa.
He made the call on Thursday At the 2024 Gender and Inclusion Summit, held in Abuja.
Speaking to an audience of key stakeholders, the minister emphasized the urgent need for gender-inclusive policies as a means to drive sustainable development and eradicate poverty.
The summit, themed “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction,” brought together leaders from government, civil society, and international organizations.
Dr. Alausa highlighted alarming statistics from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, noting that Nigeria ranks 130th out of 146 countries, and 16 of the world’s lowest-performing countries in gender equality are from Africa.
In his speech, Dr. Alausa underscored the complex relationship between gender and poverty, pointing out that 63% of Nigeria’s population lives in multidimensional poverty, with women and girls disproportionately affected.
“Poverty is not just about income deficiency; it encompasses deprivations in health, education, and living standards—all of which are worsened by gender disparities,” he said.
Participants at the Summit
He stressed the critical role of healthcare in addressing poverty, stating, “Health is a fundamental pillar of human development. When women and girls are denied access to quality healthcare, maternal mortality rises, educational attainment drops, and economic productivity suffers.”
He called for a holistic approach to poverty reduction, with gender inclusivity as a core focus.
Dr. Alausa also added that the fight against poverty cannot be won by the government alone, urging for partnerships between government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations.
He linked the summit’s goals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, which prioritizes the health and well-being of women and girls, scaling up maternal health services and expanding reproductive health education.
The minister further stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of gender inequality through education and economic empowerment, saying, “When girls are educated and women are economically empowered, entire communities benefit. This is not just a moral imperative; it is a smart investment in our nation’s future.”
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
