FG compiling Data Base of Widows, Single Mothers for Economic Intervention – Pauline Tallen
By Ignatius Ushie
The federal government is compiling a database of women, especially widows and single mothers in the country with a view to planning targeted interventions and to help them forge ahead in their chosen fields of endeavours, as well as to profile them for national and international appointments. The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, disclosed this in a keynote address at the ongoing 5th edition of the 2021 Real Estate and Construction Expo (RECON) in Abuja.
Pauline Tallen revealed that the government is targeting windows and single mothers in the informal sector through various empowerment programmes including Small and Medium Scale economic programme and the Rural Women Intervention Programme aimed at stabilizing the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on Nigerians.
According to the Minister “45 % of the N220b released by the government is targeted to support women, with five percent aimed at the vulnerable. So, this is to show you that Mr President is committed to support the low income, the vulnerable and women who are the face of poverty.” she said.
Insisting on the need to give more support to women as a way to end incidences of crime across the country, the Minister pointed out that “once a woman is supported, it has a multiplier effect.
Women are ready to participate in all spheres of the economy- the hospitality industry, the construction industry, name it.”
Tallen also urged stakeholders to use locally made construction materials in the Housing sector so as to make real estate cheap and affordable, even as she also called on the organizers of the 2021 RECO to ensure gender balance by promoting gender equality and cheap accommodation for single mothers and widows.
In his remarks, the Vice President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman, RECON 2021 Organising Committee, Dr Samadina Nebena, said that the annual event seeks to make accommodation affordable to Nigerians and other investors.
Earlier, the President of the West African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI), Faman Toure expressed optimism that the event would help reposition Nigeria’s housing needs.
