The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to scaling up empowerment initiatives for women across all states of the federation.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, disclosed this during her official visit to Ogun State on Tuesday. She said the aim is to make women more self-reliant and active contributors to national development.
According to her, the ministry’s Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programmes are designed to restore dignity, expand opportunities, and ensure that women, children, and vulnerable persons benefit directly from government interventions.
During her visit, the minister inspected the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Ogun State, a facility supported through the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) with World Bank assistance. She described the centre as a refuge for survivors, offering medical care, psychosocial support, and protection.
“The SARC is not just a facility; it is a place of healing and dignity. Survivors here receive care and the assurance that they are not alone. This model shows what is possible when government, partners, and communities work together,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.
She also commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for what she described as his administration’s commitment to women’s advancement through governance and innovation.
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Adijat Adeleye, explained that the SARC was deliberately located beside the state’s women development centre. According to her, this setup allows survivors to access both support services and economic opportunities.
“At the SARC, survivors come in with pain, but they do not remain defined by it. Here, wounds are treated and voices restored. At the women’s development centre, victims can pick up skills, gain financial literacy, and embrace entrepreneurship to begin a new life of independence,” she said.
The Federal Government said it plans to replicate and expand such initiatives nationwide, positioning the Ogun model as an example for wider adoption.
