The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed her readiness to partner the United Nations (UN) and its agencies to address gender-based issues in the country.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by her spokesperson Busola Kukoyi said the areas of concern include the role of women in public life, increased participation in the economy, ending gender-based violence, child-labour and the scourge of out-of-school children.
Senator Tinubu said this when she hosted the United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, and his team at the State House in Abuja.
The First Lady, who said she looked forward to working closely with the global organisation, added that her office was ready to accept the UN offer to work with her office.
She said all the team spoke about were areas she was passionate about.
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Senator Tinubu said her national programme, Renewed Hope Initiative, was also taking all the issues listed into cognisance.
The First Lady advised fellow women to stop looking down on themselves but improve on themselves.
“I want more women in decision-making positions, like legislative arms, because if laws are not changed, this would be the same game continuously.
“However, are the women ready to sacrifice? We are the ones that need to stand to help ourselves.
“Education is very vital and I don’t believe that a woman cannot get all that she wants once she is educated. But our focus on education is for all, both boys and girls, and even the less privileged women,” she said.
Schmale promised, on behalf of the global organisation, to collaborate with the Office of the First Lady, saying he was aware of her antecedents, especially in caring for women and children.
He said the UN was aware of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stance on improving the economic situation in Nigeria, adding that the UN was supporting the administration.
“One issue is the role of women in public life and we are very keen on it as you. We offer our support significantly in increasing the number of women in public life in Nigeria.
“Secondly, it is our understanding that the President has made the economy an important stone. Again, we know that women play a key role in the economy, considering food and security as a national emergency.
“We are ready to explore what more we can do to support the government and your excellence in increasing the role of women in the economy and revitalising the economy,” Schmale said.