In a bid to achieve and maintain well-structured and better-organised initiatives to ease the plights of vulnerable and indigent women across the metropolis, the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), is set to collaborate with the Public Service Office (PSO) in the Office of the Head of Service.
The Permanent Secretary of WAPA, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo disclosed this during the visit of Officials of the Public Service Standards and Performance Department (PSSP), in the Public Service Office, promising to ensure a sustainable collaborative effort which will benefit women in the State.
Kalesanwo noted that the Ministry’s policies, programmes and activities are focused on providing a safe space for women, as well as empowering them for financial independence towards becoming major contributors to the socio-economic development of Lagos State.
She maintained that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who doubles as a #HeforShe Sexual and Gender-Based Champion, understands the importance of women in the “Greater Lagos” journey, hence, he is very receptive to all initiatives designed for women empowerment.
Her words: “Every Department and Unit in WAPA has keyed into the vision of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration with the focus of empowering vulnerable women and alleviating poverty to the barest minimum”.
Speaking further on the Ministry’s empowerment programmes, the Permanent Secretary said: “WAPA has 19 Skills Acquisition Centres across the five divisions of the State, which offer over 20 vocations and on completion of the programmes, beneficiaries are equipped with certificates”.
“We also have Short-term Skills Acquisition Programmes for four weeks, where beneficiaries are given starter packs for various vocations ranging from Wig-Making and Hair-Braiding, Make-Up and Gele-Tying, Tie and Dye, Catering and Confectionaries, Garments Stoning, Pomade-Making, Insecticide and Stove Wick, Ankara Craft and Interior Decorations, amongst others” she added
“Our activities also involve ensuring that victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are also encouraged to speak up and speak out against any form of abuse so that they can start their journey to recovery. The Ministry also launched the Purple project which is a Domestic Violence dedicated desk through the toll-free Lagos State Emergency number #767”, she explained.
The Director of PSSP, Mr. Ligali Adeleke applauded the Ministry for the warm welcome, noting that the visit was to enable the PSSP team to compare notes on policies and strategies given the laudable activities and achievements of the Lagos State Government, through WAPA, on women affairs and empowerment.
Adeleke stated that the courtesy visit to WAPA would enhance the delivery of the mandates of the Ministry, especially in improving the service deliverables towards women-focused empowerment programmes.
“We are very impressed with what we have learnt today about the various platforms of WAPA, with the aim of a Greater Lagos where every woman is resourceful and empowered and we hope that this marks the beginning of our collaboration towards this goal”, he said.