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ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion
ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on member states to mainstream gender into their trade policies to achieve the objectives of the African Continental Trade (AfCTA), noting that until women, who represents half of the subregion population is fully integrated, the much searched development may continue to be a mirage.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, made the plea at the opening of a regional meeting on trade and gender in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said that promoting inclusive subregional trade by empowering women in business was in line with regional approaches and guidelines, as well as international best practices.
Toure-Litse while describing international trade as a powerful driver for wealth creation and development, lamenting that however women representing about 50 per cent of the global workforce is presently facing barriers to participating in it.
She said: “Women-owned businesses often struggle to access export markets, and women workers are overrepresented in low-wage, low-skilled sectors.
“Trade policies frequently overlook gender-specific needs and perspectives, exacerbating existing inequalities.@
She said that addressing these disparities was crucial for promoting inclusive and equitable trade practices, unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs and workers, and ensuring that international trade benefited all.
She added that: “However, increased trade supported by discriminatory trade policies is acknowledged to be a catalyst for the possible widening of the inequality gap between men and women involved in trade.
“According to UN Women, it is estimated that 70 per cent of informal cross-border trade in Africa is conducted by women traders.
“I am pleased to note that ECOWAS has already developed several community texts and initiatives to promote gender-inclusive trade.
“These efforts align with our commitment to deepening regional integration and accelerating development through inclusive trade.”
She however urged participants drawn from ECOWAS member countries, to share their expertise and constructively discuss the issue of gender mainstreaming in trade to enrich the ECOWAS draft action plan on trade and gender.
Toure-Litse noted that: “A well-crafted action plan will definitely contribute to achieving the Vision 2050, AfCTA, the AU Agenda 2063 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.”
She said the entry into force of AfCFTA had culminated in great opportunities for increased intra-African trade, and solicited necessary steps for it to provide equal opportunities for men and women.
“In this regard, the regional AfCFTA implementation strategy aims to achieve objectives such as gender equality and structural transformation of state parties.
“Specifically, the strategy aims to contribute to positive gender and youth impact of AfCFTA through women and youth led-business activities, employment and social protection as well as informal cross-border traders,” she added.
Declaring the event opened, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that mainstreaming gender in regional trade policies would lead to creating a prosperous and equitable trade.
Represented by the ministry’s Director, Special Duties, Dr Simon Ozomo, the minister said that gender trade mainstreaming was in line with the Federal Government’s trade facilitation policy.
ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested two suspected criminals during a routine patrol in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects, identified as Azi Ezekiel, 21, and Ajiji Emmanuel, 19, were apprehended at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday along the road leading to Forbur Village.
The sources said the suspects were intercepted by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, while conducting a routine patrol in the area.
According to the sources, the two suspects have been handed over to the Keystone Police Station in Forbur for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The arrest forms part of ongoing security operations aimed at combating criminal activities and enhancing safety across Plateau State.
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspected kidnapper during a security operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as Mohamdu Surajo, 29, was arrested at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday at Sabon Layi Village following sustained security operations in the area.
The sources disclosed that the suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing preliminary interrogation to aid ongoing investigations.
They added that the arrest is part of continued efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal networks and enhance security across Plateau State.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
Venezuela Solidarity Group Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions After Deadly Earthquakes
By: Michael Mike
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) has called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of United States sanctions on Venezuela, arguing that the restrictions are hampering humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts following devastating twin earthquakes that reportedly killed more than 2,000 people and displaced over 50,000 others.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its coordinator, Comrade Dimeji Macaulay, the group expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian Government, describing the earthquakes as a humanitarian tragedy that has left widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, roads and other critical infrastructure.
The organisation extended condolences to families of the victims and praised what it described as the resilience of the Venezuelan people in confronting the disaster despite years of economic hardship.
According to the VSCN, the U.S. sanctions have weakened Venezuela’s capacity to respond effectively to the emergency by limiting access to financial resources and restricting the importation of medicines, equipment, technology and other essential materials.
The group maintained that maintaining the sanctions during a humanitarian crisis amounts to collective punishment against ordinary citizens and called for their permanent removal to facilitate relief operations and long-term reconstruction.
“There can be no moral or legal justification for maintaining an economic blockade against a country struggling to save lives and rebuild after a devastating natural disaster,” the statement said, adding that every day the sanctions remain in force prolongs the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
The campaign also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to publicly support the removal of the sanctions, strengthen diplomatic relations with Venezuela and contribute to international humanitarian efforts for victims of the disaster.
It further appealed to the African Union to reject unilateral coercive measures, describing them as violations of international law, while calling on African countries to support Venezuela’s recovery.
The group equally called on the United Nations to intensify humanitarian assistance and ensure that sanctions do not obstruct emergency relief operations or reconstruction programmes.
Beyond governments and international organisations, the VSCN appealed to trade unions, youth organisations, civil society groups and progressive political movements across Africa and the wider international community to demonstrate solidarity with Venezuela by opposing what it described as economic warfare and supporting the country’s right to determine its future without external interference.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Venezuelan cause, the organisation said it would continue campaigning until the sanctions are lifted, insisting that Venezuela’s recovery should not be hindered by external political considerations
Venezuela Solidarity Group Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions After Deadly Earthquakes
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Berom Militia Linked to NIPSS Attack as Security Sources Say Investigation Supports Earlier Leads
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
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