Cheke Emmanuel 
The Federal Government has lauded the World Bank for its contribution towards Women’s Economic Empowerment in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Vitalis Obi, gave the commendation at the weekend when speaking during the Gender Innovations in Economic Planning Side Event at the 2024 Joint Planning Board (JPB), and National Council on Development Planning (NCDP) meetings held in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
He said that gender inclusive planning would improve the nation’s economic growth, saying that this would go a long way in smile operating poverty and social well-being of women across the nation.
Obi averred that improving women’s access to finance through digital tools, creating gender-responsive policy interventions where both men and women would contribute to decision-making processes would yields more resilient and prosperous societies.
While acknowledging Economic Planning as a catalyst to prosperity for all citizens, he said gender plays a crucial role in shaping economic outcome.
The federal permanent secretary noted that gender innovations in economic planning will integrate gender-responsive approach into the budgeting processes, policy frameworks and development strategies.
The Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), director, Dr Plangsat Dayil, called on policymakers to effectively integrate gender-specific data and evidence into their economic planning processes.
According to her, “Collection and analyze gender-specific data that provides insights into women’s participation in the economy, their needs, challenges, and opportunities.”
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, .ಠ‿ಠಠ益ಠ Anambra State, Chiamaka Nnake, identified economic, social, and cultural norms policies as major factors responsible for marginalization of women participation in politics thereby causing disparity in the society.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,Benue state, prof Jerome Andohol, emphasized the need to leverage on some of the interventions that were forwarded by the World Bank and some other supporting agencies
