The Chair of the Board of Directors of Women Radio WFM 91.7, Toun Sonaiya, has said Nigerian women, particularly those in rural communities, face significant challenges that hinder their ability to contribute fully to national development.
Sonaiya stated this during her remarks at the second edition of Nigerian Women’s Day, held as part of activities at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York on Thursday.
According to a statement made available to Online on Sunday, the event, themed “31 Years of Progress, Resilience, Impact and Renewed Hope,” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development under the leadership of the Minister, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
It brought together members of the Nigerian diaspora, diplomats, gender advocates and global leaders, including the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.
Speaking at the event, Sonaiya said, “Nigerian women, children, families and vulnerable people, especially in 774 rural areas, face big challenges that stop them from contributing to the country’s growth.”
She identified some of the challenges as lack of electricity, limited access to finance and internet services, poor healthcare, limited educational opportunities and low representation of women in leadership positions.
Sonaiya called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, as well as development partners, to support programmes aimed at empowering women and strengthening communities.
She noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs had introduced several initiatives under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions 774 framework, designed to support women and vulnerable groups across the country.
Among the programmes highlighted were PowerHer774, which seeks to expand clean energy access to one million women and their households across the 774 local government areas, and the Women Agro Value Expansion programme targeting three million women in agriculture.
Other initiatives include programmes focused on digital literacy for women and girls, child development support and interventions aimed at improving women’s health and economic empowerment.
“Your positive contribution is like a piece of a jigsaw. Bit by bit we will build a bigger positive Nigeria,” Sonaiya said, urging stakeholders to partner with the government in implementing the programmes.
In her address, Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for increased global and domestic investments to advance women’s empowerment.
“Transforming women’s lives at scale requires sustained investment, strong partnerships, and coordinated action,” the minister said.
“There is an urgent need for greater investment in women and girls, both domestically and globally. Women’s empowerment is not a social programme; it is an economic strategy, a security strategy, and a development imperative.”
The event also featured a fireside conversation between the minister and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, focusing on Nigeria’s gender equality goals and the global agenda for women’s empowerment.
Participants discussed challenges and opportunities affecting women and girls across Africa and beyond.
Panel discussions held during the event addressed topics including Global Leadership, Peace and Security for Social Impact; Women, Institutions and the Economy; and Positive Masculinity.
Speakers included the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Chairman of the National Population Commission, Aminu Yusuf; Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu; and Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, among others.
The programme also featured cultural performances and presentations highlighting the role of women in leadership, innovation and social development.