Newly designated Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has assured that her tenure would be innovative and won’t be a “business as usual”.
The minister, who awaits Senate confirmation, gave the assurance when she was received by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, alongside management, staff, and stakeholders of the ministry.
Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the President Bola Tinubu has directed her to take specific, impactful actions that would improve the welfare of Nigerian women and advance the course of the girl child and the vulnerable ones in the society.
She said: “We will work tirelessly to ensure that women’s voices are heard and represented in all areas of governance.
“We will advocate for laws that empower women and ensure their rights are protected. This will include working closely with legislators and civil society to bring discriminatory laws to an end.
“Women and girls who suffer from gender-based violence must have access to swift and fair justice. We will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a robust and effective response to such incidents.
“We will expand social services, ensuring they are equipped to support survivors of violence and collaborate with partners to create safe spaces for those affected.
“In partnership with stakeholders, we will strengthen guidelines and protocols for the protection of children from abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. The well-being of our children will always be a top priority.
“These mandates from Mr President are very clear, and I am immensely grateful to him for his confidence in me to lead this charge. I will not betray that confidence or let Nigerians down. We will work to make the adjustments necessary to become Africa’s leader in gender equity.
“I have a proven record from my tenure at NAPTIP, where I led Nigeria from a Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 1. Tangible results are achievable when we commit to our objectives. Once again, I pledge to deliver.
“It is indeed Women’s O’clock in Nigeria. I am calling on all hands to be on deck to support this movement of equity and progress.
“To every Nigerian woman: this is your time. Together, we will break down barriers, lift each other, and ensure that your voices are heard, your rights are protected, and your dreams are within reach.”
