- Dr. Bashir announced plans to establish resource centres with UN Women and the Canadian High Commission to empower women in leadership
- The initiative aims to prepare women for political participation, providing networking opportunities and access to expertise across various Nigerian states
Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, the Director General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, has revealed plans to work with UN Women and the Canadian High Commission to establish resource centres for women in governance and decision-making across various states in Nigeria. These centres aim to empower women to take on leadership roles, provide networking opportunities, and offer access to expertise, research, and best practices.
Speaking during a two-day capacity training session for Women Affairs Commissioners from all 36 states, Dr. Bashir highlighted the importance of these centres in preparing women for political participation. “Over the years, women have been trying to take their positions in political spaces, and with the establishment of these resource centres, we are strategizing to see how we can train women and prepare them effectively for the political space,” she stated.
UN Women’s country representative to Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, represented by Deputy Country Rep Zephaniah Aura, emphasized the organization’s dedication to enhancing Nigerian women’s resilience and professional development, focusing on increasing their leadership contributions. She noted that the resource centres will be hubs for networking, peer-to-peer learning, access to market information, new technologies in climate-smart agriculture, clean-energy cooking methods, and essential skills for women in politics. This year, UN Women supports establishing these centres in the states of Ekiti, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi.
In his remarks, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff, praised the initiative as a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women in leadership roles. He noted that the workshop provided an opportunity to collaborate on creating a supportive environment for women ahead of the 2027 elections. Christoff stressed the importance of ensuring that women, including young women and women with disabilities, have the necessary support and opportunities to succeed.