Minister Launches Women Empowerment Initiatives in Abia

On a significant day for women's empowerment in Nigeria, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, officially commissioned the Osusu Abaala Women Palm-Oil Collective in Isialangwa North Local Government Area, Abia State. The event, attended by Governor Alex Otti and the First Lady of Abia State, highlighted the federal government's commitment to dismantling barriers that limit women's access to financial markets and skills.

The initiative is part of the Nigeria Women Programme, which aims to reach at least five million women across 36 states by 2024. Additionally, the Minister launched a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abia State, which will provide integrated services for survivors of gender-based violence, including medical care and legal support.

This centre is part of a broader strategy to address the pervasive issue of violence against women, with plans to establish 50 such centres across 24 states by November 2025. The Minister underscored the importance of structured institutional responses to protect survivors and improve justice outcomes.