Women’s empowerment central to achieving SDGs — UN

The United Nations has underscored the need to prioritise women’s empowerment as a driving force to ensure sustainable development in Nigeria.

The acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, disclosed this during the Lions Day with the United Nations ceremony on Thursday in Abuja.

Attafuah was represented by Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria.

According to her, LDUN is not just an annual observance but a reminder of a historic and forward-looking collaboration that began in 1945, when the UN was founded.

Attafuah said, “Global challenges have evolved from climate change to migration, from public health crises to rising instability, from gender-based violence to women’s under-representation in political leadership.

“Let’s intensify the use of LDUN for dialogue, innovation, and shared action. The number of Out-of-School children can be drastically reduced; Women and children can be protected.

“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 is not too late. The UN has identified pathways to accelerate the progress of SDGs that include education; digital connectivity; food systems; energy access/affordability; jobs/social protection; and climate/biodiversity/ pollution.”

According to her, the centre of these pathways is the sacred truth that gender equality and women’s empowerment are integral to all 17 SDGs, and essential to building a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

“Let’s take a moment to spotlight women’s empowerment as driving force for sustainable development.

Peace, development, and human rights cannot be achieved without women leading and shaping solutions,” she said.

She reiterated that the UN and Lions International shared deeply aligned mission, which is to advance peace, support education, fight poverty, strengthen health systems, and uplift vulnerable communities.

She added that over the decades, Lions International had collaborated with UN agencies, including UNICEF, WHO, and UNESCO, to deliver humanitarian programmes across the world.

Speaking earlier, Dr Ibrahim Bello, Multiple Council Chairperson of Lions International, affirmed that partnership with the UN was rooted in shared values of service, dignity, cooperation, and the collective pursuit of a better world.

According to him, the theme, Global South, holds immense potential to lead, connect, and empower communities in shaping a more equitable future.

Bello said, “Within this Nigeria lies extraordinary innovation, resilience, and leadership, particularly from women, youth, and community actors who are driving solutions from the ground up.

“Our gathering today highlights the important role that community-based service organisations play in complementing the work of global institutions.

“While the UN provides global leadership and frameworks for action, Lions translate those ideals into tangible impact within communities, reaching the grassroots where change truly begins.”

NAN