Gabriel Enenche —
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, yesterday sought for the removal of obstacles, discrimatory practices and attitude to womens’ right to land to boost agriculture activities in the country. Tallen who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Adebiyi Olufunso, made the call at a media briefing to commemorate the 2021 International Day of Rural Women with the theme: “Rural Women, Cultivating Good Food for All” and the World Food Day in Abuja.
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The International Day of Rural Women is annually celebrated on Oct. 15 to raise awareness on the critical roles and contributions of rural women in enhancing agriculture and rural development, ensuring security and the eradication of poverty.
According to her, rural women constitute about 80 per cent of the Agriculture labour force, but they face numerous challenges such as poverty, insecurity, poor basic amenities that hinder their potential and contributions on a larger scale.
She explained that removing obstacles to women’s rights to own land and reforming laws and discriminatory practices could foster an environment of equity for rural women.
She added that “by removing obstacles to womens’ right to land, reforming laws and changing discrimatory practices and attitudes, we can foster an environment of equality.
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“By ensuring that rural women have enabling environment, market outlets, job security and social protection, we can improve living conditions for their families and nurture their entrepreneurial drive, “she said.
The minister also called for enhanced coordination of policies and programmes of stakeholders and government institutions to empower rural women.
She further called on stakeholders to move from pledges to action to protect the interest and harness the potential of rural women, which would ensure food security for all and enhance national wealth.
