The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Youth and Gender Issues, Dr. Peter Osagie has said that the ministry is ready to collaborate with the Echoes of women in West Africa, ECOWA, a non-governmental women’s rights organization, to promote peace and security for Africa women and girls.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by ECOWA to the ministry recently, the Permanent Secretary stated that the ministry is saddle with the responsibility to address gender issues and therefore, cannot shy away from its responsibility.

He also noted that, “when we talk about economic empowerment of women, it means the total wellbeing of a woman and therefore it’s a total package.”

The Permanent Secretary who asked for the name of the bill which was with the Ministry of Justice advised that more meetings be scheduled with the director of Gender Issues to check what they want to do, so that there would not be confliction of bills.

“The Ministry of Youth and Gender Issues is ready to collaborate and help in the pursuit of domesticating the bills,” he added

The team lead ECOWA, Duru Kate stated that they got a grant to fund and promote a bill of Economic Justice of women.

According to her, the economic justice project was prompted by their passion and commitment to lift the urban poor and rural women out of drudgery by bringing them into the mainstream of the State economy and also build their capacity to participate in high income yielding economic activities.

“The project is designed to address endemic economic injustice against Nigerian women with particular reference to women in Edo state,” She said, adding that, “the reason for their visit is to sensitize the Ministry as an important stakeholder and seek support for the success of the life changing initiative.

While disclosing that the bill is being drafted at the moment by the Ministry of Justice the team lead stated that their intervention can contribute to the bigger picture of transforming power to advance women’s right.

“The project with support from Urgent Action Fund will facilitate the enactment of a law that address the provision of Economic Right of women,” she added