According to the European Union, investing in the education of women could end or reduce drastically the burden of poverty in Nigeria.
The EU Head of Politics, Press and Information Section, Pauline Torehall stated that Nigeria must ensure that her women were educated in order to drive an all-round developmental process.
She gave the advice while speaking as a member of a panel at a women conference organised by two Non-Governmental Organisations, FAME Foundation and MALLPAI Foundation in Abuja on Friday.
Torehall noted that researches had shown that no country could achieve economic growth without at least 40 percent of her adults being literate, hence the need for Nigeria to encourage her women to go to school.
She said, “If you educate a woman, her children will be healthier than those not educated; Education also improves the chances of children to survive beyond the age of five.”
Speaking earlier, founder of FAME Foundation, Aderonke Bello said the conference was to empower, educate and inspire women.
“We decided to bring women together to use their lessons, challenges, and in general, life experiences to uplift and empower other women at the conference and at the same time reach out to rural women farmers in Nigeria,” she explained.
She pointed out that the highest percentages of farmers in Nigeria are women, adding that tools would be provided for them to enhance their productivity.
“An empowered woman is an embodiment of strength, courage, and knowledge which translates to her children and the society,” she concluded.
Bello said all proceeds at the event would be used for the Economic Empowerment for Rural Women in Agriculture, whereby farming tools and foods processors would be purchased for the farmers to reduce manual labour and production stress.
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
