WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTRY SET TO PARTNER WITH CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Further to renewed efforts towards scaling up empowerment for Nigerian women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has initiated a partnership with the management of the Nigeria Correctional Service on to provide skill acquisition and vocational training for female inmates across the country.
In her presentation, the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye recalled her first assignment after appointment as Minister in August last year was routine visit to the Suleija Correctional Centre to identify with female inmates.
According to her “I was touched by the challenges some of the female inmates were facing, some of whom have been awaiting trial for offences that require between N10,000.00 to N15,000.00 to regain their freedom. On further engagement with the Officers at the Centre, the Ministry paid and facilitated the release of 92 female inmates including the male inmates”
“ I was also excited to see their potentials even while being incarcerated as the female inmates produce soaps, detergent, Dettol including sewing of fabrics and the Ministry resolved to initiate a scheme that will empower them sustainably through the provision of industrial machines and other modern machines to upscale the production of soaps, detergent and other items. With the E-market portal which we just unveiled, the Ministry will further partner with your agency to onboard female inmates across the country to benefit from the scheme as their products will be uploaded with bank details and other relevant information that will enable them receive payment for their products and services and with this arrangement, they will save enough money that will provide meaningful means of livelihood that will discourage them from going back to criminality when they complete their jail terms”
Continuing, the Minister stated that this scenario was what prompted her to initiate a partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum which culminated to the Governors’ approval for establishment of Mobile Courts in all states and the FCT for quick dispensation of justice on gender based violence-related offences and to further decongest Correctional Centres across the country.
Earlier in his remarks, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Haliru Nababa commended the Minister for her sustained efforts to promote the interest of women and the girl child since her appointment adding that “
Our visit is a follow up to the Minister’s earlier visit to the Honorable Minister of Interior, Dr. Bayo Ojo to seek areas of collaboration with the Ministry especially in the area of encouraging female inmates on skill acquisition training programs and sustainable empowerment that will enable them to be productive and earn income that will give them strong financial base and be useful after discharge to the society”
He added that the Correctional Centres have been reformed to improve on the welfare of the inmates and unlock their potentials on skills acquisition as about 1,200 of them are presently pursuing their educational careers at various institutions of higher learning.
Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, Fnipr, Fcai
Special Assistant, Media
