The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, says any development plan that does not involve or put women at the center of it is bound to fail.
She said many of the challenges Nigeria is facing is because women, who constitute a huge segment of the population, are being neglected.
The Minister stated this when she featured on Guest of the Week, a programme on Liberty Television.
Dame Pauline, who noted that Women were key towards growing the nation, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing their roles in nation building.
Thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari who has shown a lot of commitment and passion to make a difference on issues that concern women. Until women issues are properly addressed, the development of this country will continue to remain lopsided. The scale can never be balanced as long as women, who constitute a greater percentage of the population, are not involved in national issues, she said.
The Minister assured that her Ministry would redouble efforts to ensure 35% Women affirmative action.
We appreciate what Mr. President has done so far, and we are very positive and hopeful that more is coming, and we would not rest on our oars until women take their rightful place, and I know that Mr. President will fulfill that.
I am particularly happy with the key position he has entrusted women with; a key ministry like the Ministry of Finance, which he has the confidence of a woman who is making us proud by securing the treasury of the country.
We also have a woman as the Head of Service, and the six of us handling other ministerial portfolios, which are very strategic: The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development; Ministry of Trade and Investment; Ministry of Environment; Minister of State FCT, and the Minister of State Transport. We appreciate all of these, but we are still asking for more, she said.
According to the Minister, the present Administration will continue to prioritise the welfare of Women and the Girl Child and will also check violence against Women.
