•Votes another $20m for women entrepreneurs
Canada will be providing $27.3 million in humanitarian assistance for the conflict in the northeast with unique impacts on women and girls, Christopher Thornley, High Commissioner of Canada, has said.
Besides, Thornley said Nigerian women and girls will also benefit from the Canada $20 million contribution toward the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi).
The envoy, who made the disclosures at the National Women Business summit and exhibition by the Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN), said the initiatives were part of his country’s new foreign policy centered on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
He stressed that it applies to all of Canada’s international assistance for development, humanitarian action and peace and security.
Thornley said: “Canada is already working with Nigeria and other partners to protect and promote the rights of women and girls.
“With the launch of our new feminist international assistance policy we look forward to intensifying our efforts to invest in the women and girls of Nigeria and to help unlock their potential.”
He explained Canada views women’s empowerment and full participation in leadership and decision-making processes as fundamental aspects of democratic societies.
He opined that it’s time to see more women in elective positions in the country.
Explaining reasons behind the new policy, the envoy said: “Strengthened investments in women throughout their lives, addressing, among other things, human rights and political empowerment not only promotes gender equality but has ripple effects on children, family and the broader community.”