President says he will continue to guarantee the economic rights of women

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration will continue to guarantee the economic rights of women in the country.

He made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

Adesina said Buhari made the remark at the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union onSaturday night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to him, the Federal Government under his watch has demonstrated its commitment to the rights of women by appointing women of proven integrity to key positions within the cabinet.

``We have increased the budgetary allocation of ministries that have direct bearing on the lives of women, particularly health and education, with greater emphasis on girl-child education.

``As you all know, the terrible activities of the Boko Haram sect led to destruction of thousands of lives and property in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, displacing millions from their respective homes, most of who are women and children and are now at various IDP camps across the country.

``In order to fully restore and protect their rights, government is in the process of massive rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of the affected victims in the North Eastern part of the country with the ultimate goal of restoring normalcy in full to that region, as well as improving the wellbeing of the affected persons.''

President Buhari welcomed the AU decision to declare the year 2016 as “The Year of Human Rights in Africa with Special focus on the Rights of Women”.

He said Nigeria had amply demonstrated its commitment to issues relating to rights of women by upholding several human rights treaties and conventions specifically targeted at women.

``In guaranteeing the economic rights of women, the Federal Government of Nigeria is embarking on massive employment programmes that will promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), in order to provide succour to our teeming women and youth populations,’’ he said.

The President also used the occasion of his address to the AU summit to congratulate President Idris Deby of Chad on his election and assumption of office as Chairperson of the Union for 2016.

According to President Buhari, Deby’s appointment is a clear attestation of the confidence reposed in him to steer the ship of the continental organisation.