Reducing Institutional and Cultural Barriers for Young Women s Entrepreneurship

Transcription

1 Communication and Visibility Actions for Gender Equality Awareness and Advocacy in Nigeria Lagos, June 15, 2017 Reducing Institutional and Cultural Barriers for Young Women s Entrepreneurship All protocols duly observed. On behalf of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this seminar on "Reducing Institutional and Cultural Barriers for Young Women s Entrepreneurship". I would like to thank all of you, especially the speakers who despite their busy schedules honoured the invitation to contribute to this seminar. It is an indication of our collective desire to tackle obstacles and barriers for young women entrepreneurs. I am confident that this seminar will be worth the while for all participants present today. Background EU work in Nigeria Women are more economically active in Africa and in Nigeria in particular as farmers, workers and entrepreneurs than anywhere else in the world. Yet across Africa, women face an array of barriers to achieving their full potential, from restrictive cultural practices to discriminatory laws, lack of security, infrastructural deficiencies, lack of access to quality education and highly segmented labour markets. Equality between men and women is one of the core of values of the European Union (EU) as enshrined in its legal and political framework. The EU is committed to breaking the vicious cycle of gender discrimination through its external actions. The European Union is involved in a range of activities aimed at empowering girls and women, protecting their rights, transforming their lives and strengthening their voices as drivers of sustainable development. Gender projects currently being funded by the EU in Nigeria Promoting Women s Engagement in Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria project; which seeks to strengthen women s leadership, advance gender equality and improve protection of women and children in conflict settings with focus on three Northern states. A Model for Community Monitoring of CEDAW, aims to contribute to the promotion of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 1

2 Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Nigeria, especially the provisions relating to gender-based violence and discriminatory practices. It is being implemented in Ekiti state. The Support to the Health Sector in Nigeria is an EU-supported project that focuses on Maternal, New Born and Child Health-Care (MNCH), including nutrition and resilience, in three focal states of Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi. The EU is also constantly engaged in advocacy outreach with relevant stakeholders, one of which is this seminar organized to discuss the strengthening of the capacities of young women entrepreneurs as a means to achieve economic empowerment. More advocacy actions are expected to follow. Africa and EU are key political and economic partners. We want to further deepen our partnership for prosperity & stability. As you may be aware, the Africa-EU Summit, which will take place on 29th - 30th November 2017 in Abidjan, will have as its central theme youth, and more particularly "Harnessing the potential of African and European youth". This summit also reinforce the EU's determination to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian youth. The EU commends the Nigerian Government in its effort to promote gender parity with its National Gender Policy. It aims to build a just society devoid of discrimination, harness the full potentials of all social groups regardless of sex or circumstances. However, significant gaps in education, economic empowerment and political participation still remain in Nigeria. We all agree that achieving women s economic empowerment is not a quick fix. It will take sound public policies, a holistic approach and longterm commitment from all development actors. It is heart-warming to note that the Nigerian Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo during the launch of the "HeforShe" Campaign on May 23 supported the call for action to end gender discrimination. In his remark he said that: "if given the opportunity, women would excel, but there are still glass ceilings to be broken, policies that need to be changed, practices that need to be altered and stereotypes about women to be discarded". We applaud these words. Now they need to translate into concrete action. 2

3 The EU Gender Action Plan The EU Gender Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment ( ), GAP II, provides a framework for transforming the lives of girls and women through EUs work in the world. It reaffirms the essential role of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as drivers for sustainable development. In the GAP II plan, three pivotal areas have been identified which could transform the lives of women and girls if action is taken. The three thematic pillars are: Ensuring girls and women s physical and psychological integrity Preventing and combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a precondition for equitable and inclusive sustainable development, as well as an important value and objective in itself. The EU provides support to combat harmful practices such as forcing girls into early marriage, the lack of knowledge required to make sexual and reproductive decisions responsibly, sexual abuse in childhood, displacement due to conflicts and economic insecurity. Promoting the economic and social rights / empowerment of girls and women Ensuring that girls and women are empowered, that their economic and social rights are fulfilled and that an enabling environment for their fair and active participation in the economy exists are key priorities for the EU. The EU hopes to provide support for an increase in the number of girls and women receiving quality education at all levels, including in science, technology and engineering, and receiving vocational, professional and/or entrepreneurial training, improving access by women of all ages to decent work. Women's equal access to financial services, and to the use of, and control over, land and other productive resources, as well as support to women entrepreneurs Strengthening Girls and Women s Voice and Participation Ensuring that girls and women, boys and men, have a voice at all levels of society, and are able to effectively participate and have a say over decisions that affect their lives, is central to the EU's approach. Worldwide, only 21.9%of parliamentary seats are held by women. 52 Women make up 3

4 8% of the world s executives and 95% of countries have a male head of state. The European Union will continue to strengthen its efforts to contribute in a measurable manner to an increase in girls and women s agency, voice and participation in social, economic and political life. Women s participation in the economy as an essential factor for sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria and its link to global poverty eradication Nigerian women are highly entrepreneurial; forty percent of Nigerian women are entrepreneurs. Yet women entrepreneurs are more likely to be running microenterprises in the informal sector, engaging in low-valueadded activities that reap marginal returns. If these businesses could be developed into more productive enterprises, they could be a driver of inclusive growth. At present, women s prospects of generating larger earnings are limited by a range of factors a lack of basic skills, a lack of access to financial services, lack of networks and the challenges of balancing business and domestic obligations. These are some of the inhibiting factors that will be discussed here today with a view to seeking the means to help young women entrepreneurs. Rationale for the choice of young women entrepreneurs Investing in Women is Smart Economics. Evidence shows that when women are given equal opportunities and access to resources and to decision-making, communities are more prosperous and more peaceful. The EU wants to assist partners in effectively using this significant transformative potential. The EU cannot but commend the resilience and determination of Nigerian women, who against all odds are able to reach the pinnacle of success. The array of speakers present here today is a testimony and assurance that if these women can excel in the male dominated professions, many other women can also rise above all challenges and excel in their chosen fields. I encourage all participants to use the opportunity of this seminar to share experiences and network with each other during lunch. It is hoped that the participants in this seminar will gain more insights into ways of tackling some inhibiting factors identified in the course of today, find ways to surmount these obstacles and also pass the knowledge to other women in their environment. It is hoped that the Nigerian 4

5 Government will also take into cognizance some of the factors discussed here as basis for policy formulation that will aid women in the quest for more economic empowerment via equitable access to assets and services - land, water, technology, innovation and credit, banking and financial services. Thank you for your time and for listening! I wish you all a fruitful and engaging discussion! 5