Nigeria and Switzerland Collaborate to Empower Women

Nigeria and Switzerland have strengthened their partnership to advance women's issues, reaffirming commitments to promote gender equality and empower women economically and politically. This commitment was made during a high-level interaction session led by Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Elisabeth Baum-Schneider, the Swiss Federal Councillor.

They discussed strategies to eliminate gender-based violence and improve the lives of women and children, particularly vulnerable groups. The Nigerian government plans to expand survivor support centers across the country and review the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015.

Ibrahim announced a new nine-pillar social impact framework aimed at integrating social protection services. The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's agenda to prioritize women's protection and address gender-based violence as critical to national security and economic stability.

Currently, women occupy only 3.91% of parliamentary seats in Nigeria, prompting the implementation of the Nigerian Women’s Charter and the third National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.