Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari has called on governments at all levels to put in place, machinery and frameworks that would enhance the development and empowerment of Nigerian women, to enable them compete favourably among their peers across the world.
Speaking through the wife of Senate President, Dr. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, during the third edition of SHE Forum Africa in Abuja on Thursday; Mrs. Buhari said “the world must continue to wake up and pay attention to the rights and opportunities for all human beings, girls and boys, men and women, to reach and live up to their potentials”.

Speaking further, she said, “As a Woman, Wife of the President, Mother of a nation, a grandmother, the fate of the next generation – both girls and boys occupies much of my thinking.
“I wish to add my voice by calling on governments both at national and international levels, private organisations and individuals to contribute towards the realisation of sustainable community development towards enhancing women empowerment”.

The President’s wife also charged women to partner with governments and other agencies to actualise gender equality and affirmative actions.

“As women, we need to come together for a renewed partnership to confront gender equality issues. We have to work with governments, civil society and private sector to redress the underlying biases and social norms that permit women and girls to be treated less well than men and boys,” Mrs. Buhari added.

In her welcome address, the President of SHE Forum Africa, Inimfon Etuk tasked Nigerian women to participate in democratic processes and be business oriented.
“At the heart of our organisation’s focus is the burning need to promote conscious participation of women in democratic processes; promote entrepreneurship and women’s business initiatives in local communities as well as best practices in creating partnerships, financing new enterprises, and encouraging strategic involvement in leadership, governance and entrepreneurial programs,” Inimfon said.

While delivering her keynote address, former First Lady of Ekiti State and Wife of the Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals, Dr. Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi bemoaned the lackadaisical approach to gender equality and women rights issues in Nigeria and called on governments and individuals to stand for the rights of women in all ramifications.

Present at the 2016 edition of SHE Forum Africa were Amb. Torben Gettermann from the Embassy of Denmark; Mrs. Olufunke Baruwa, President of Nigeria Women Trust Fund; Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State and Acting Managing Director of NDDC as well as Mrs. Ebere Ifendu, President of Women in Politics Foundation; among others.

Highlights of the event include panel sessions where various topical issues were discussed by Panelists; while the Chairperson of ‘Better Life Programme For the African Rural Woman’, Hajia Aisha Babangida stole the occasion when in an emotion-laden voice, she narrated her story of why she decided to continue with the visions and programmes of her late mother and former Nigerian First Lady, Hajia Maryam Babangida.

The theme for this year’s SHE Forum Africa is “Regroup, Reboot, Remove the Mask”.