News Investigators/ The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ernest Umakhihe says Gender mainstreaming in agriculture remains fundamental for empowerment, economic growth and poverty reduction.
Mr Umakhihe made this known at a workshop on Mainstreaming Gender into Climate Change on Thursday in Abuja.
He said mainstreaming gender entails addressing the concerns of men women, and People with Disabilities (PWDs).
”This Administration has re-positoned agriculture as a business and as alternative to oil with return on investment for small holder famers including PWDs,” he said.
The permanent secretary said concerns of all segment of the society are addressed in gender mainstreaming.
He expressed optimism that at the end of the workshop, effective mainstreaming gender and mitigation strategies would address climate change and its impacts.
Earlier, Deputy Director, Head Gender, ministry of Agriculture, Ifeoma Anyanwu, said that one of the objectives of the National Gender Policy on Agriculture was partnership.
She said that another objective was the issue of climate change scourge that has devastating effect on agriculture.
In a Good will message, Mr Humphrey Geiseb, the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, said that 70 per cent of Namibians depended on agriculture, adding that majority were women.
He said the gender policy in Nigeria would reach the Government of Namibia to draw inspiration and mainstream gender.
Speaking, Dr Samuel Ankeli, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Disabilities said that the president cares for PWDs.
Mr Ankeli, who said that climate change is a threat to life,urged PWDs to work together and not to give up.
University of Jos, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, John Iheanacho, a professor, thanked the ministry of Agriculture for its commitment to the needs of women and PWDs.
Speaking, Rep. Miriam Onuoha, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities, urged people not to look down on women or PWDs.
She said the House of Representatives would ensure that the National Gender policy on Agriculture becomes a law to be domesticated.
Mrs Onuoha was represented by Rep. Dachung Bagos, member House of Representatives committee on Disabilities.
Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio, Toun Sonaya, pledged to work with the ministry of Agriculture to support women and PWDs. nan
