Opinion

Women Empowerment, Training Key To National Development

The need to ensure women become more valuable and involved in decision making in the society


24th July 2023 12:48 PM

Women empowerment is a complex and multifaceted concept that involves a range of strategies and approaches. One of the most important aspects of women empowerment is education.

Educating women is essential to breaking down the gender barriers which limit their potential and prevent them from achieving their goals. Education can help women develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives, it also helps to promote gender equality in society as a whole.

According to the World Bank no fewer than four million Nigerians were pushed into poverty in the first six months of 2023, the global bank warned that another 7.1 million more will likely be added if measures are not taken to manage the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Experts believe women are more likely to fall into the poverty circle, due to economic challenges, war, lack of education, loss of husband or family among others. Most of these women due to lack of skills find themselves stuck in the circle. But for them to escape this, it has been suggested that women are exposed to economic resources, like financial services, training, and education. 
This also means promoting women's participation in the economy, through entrepreneurship and leadership roles.

For a society to progress, there is also the need to promote women's health and well-being. This includes ensuring that women have access to quality healthcare, including reproductive health services, and that they are protected from violence and discrimination. The world health organization in its report titled “Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: Progress Report 2023”, revealed that maternal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria have stagnated since 2015, with approximately 290,000 maternal deaths occurring annually. The report showed that more women died in Nigeria from pregnancy-related issues than in India or any other country in 2020, with 82 women dying per thousand.

Quality health service helps reduce number of child and mother’s death, makes women stronger and agile, exposure them to needed vitamins and supplement.

Women advocate believe there is the need to promote women's participation in decision-making processes at all levels, from the household to the national level. This includes encouraging women's participation in politics and leadership roles which they believe will make their voices to be heard and their perspectives valued.

Other important aspects of women empowerment include promoting women's access to justice and legal rights, challenging gender-based violence and discrimination, and ensuring that women's rights are protected under the law. It also involves promoting women's participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as in sports and other areas where women have historically been underrepresented.

Finally, women empowerment is about creating an environment where women feel safe, respected, and valued. This means challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes that limit women's potential and prevent them from achieving their goals. It also means creating policies and programs that promote equal rights and opportunities for women in areas such as education, employment, and politics.

Overall, women empowerment is a critical step towards creating a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. By empowering women, we can create a better world for all of us.