The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye, has called for stronger collaboration among Southwest states to accelerate efforts aimed at closing the gender gap across the region.
Speaking at a regional policy dialogue in Abeokuta on Thursday, Adeleye emphasized that addressing gender inequality requires a unified approach anchored on shared cultural values, policy alignment, and political will.
According to her, despite notable strides in women’s participation in politics and business, many women and girls in the Southwest still face systemic barriers in education, employment, and leadership representation.
“It is time we harmonize our efforts across the Southwest. If we can work as one, we will strengthen existing policies and empower more women to take their place in governance, the economy, and other key sectors,” Adeleye said.
She stressed the importance of adopting inclusive gender policies, establishing mentorship frameworks, and improving access to credit and education for women, particularly in rural communities.
The commissioner also advocated for a regional gender action plan that would facilitate data sharing, cross-border programs, and monitoring mechanisms among the six Southwest states—Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
Stakeholders at the event, including civil society groups, gender advocates, and government officials, backed the call for unity and pledged to support initiatives that promote equal opportunities for women and men.
The forum concluded with a resolution to set up a working group to draft a Southwest Gender Equity Framework to be presented at the upcoming regional governors’ summit.
