Fed Govt reaffirms commitment to gender equity in innovation agenda

Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology  has reiterated its commitment to promoting gender equity as a core pillar of its innovation and development agenda.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, stated this during a one-day workshop on Advancing Gender Mainstreaming in Science, Technology and Innovation in Abuja.

Represented by the Head of Gender Unit, Mrs. Dola Ronnel Gambo, Mrs. Asanye said the Ministry is working tirelessly to ensure that gender equality becomes an integral part of all its projects and programmes.

According to her, gender mainstreaming is not an afterthought but a deliberate and systematic approach to integrating gender perspectives into every stage of the Ministry’s mandates and operations.

“Science, technology and innovation  being the bedrock of national development, has the potential to transform all sectors of the economy. However, gender disparities still persist within the landscape as women continue to face barriers in access to funding, mentorship, and technology infrastructure,” she noted.She emphasised that the workshop provided an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to reflect, share experiences, and chart a practical pathway for implementing gender mainstreaming across the STI sector.

She added that the insights and recommendations from the deliberations would serve as a guide for institutional strengthening within the Ministry and beyond.

Asanye further urged participants to engage actively and exchange ideas that would help build a future where innovation serves everyone, regardless of gender.

In her remarks, the Gender Desk Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Eneh Fisayo Omawumi, described the workshop as timely and essential, noting that gender mainstreaming in science and technology is not only about fairness but also about driving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability for national development.

Fed Govt reaffirms commitment to gender equity in innovation agenda - The Nation Newspaper