Validation of Zamfara State Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy
A Two-Day Stakeholders’ Consultation, Expert Review and Validation Workshop on the Domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy in Zamfara State was held from 30th to 31st May, 2026 at Karma Guest Inn, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
The Workshop was convened by the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with technical and financial support from the Women Environmental Programme (WEP), Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) and the European Union, as part of concerted efforts to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and to develop a Zamfara State-specific framework for promoting women’s economic inclusion, productivity, resilience, entrepreneurship, leadership and access to opportunities.
Participants noted that Zamfara State faces significant gender development challenges, including low female literacy, high poverty levels, limited access to productive resources, insecurity, displacement, and the economic vulnerability of women and girls. Participants further noted that, notwithstanding these challenges, women in Zamfara State remain active and indispensable contributors to agriculture, petty trade, artisanal production, community commerce and household welfare.
The Workshop brought together representatives of State Ministries, Departments and Agencies; development partners; civil society organisations; women-led organisations; traditional and religious leaders; academia; financial institutions; private sector actors; associations of persons with disabilities; youth representatives; media practitioners; and technical experts.
Participants acknowledged that the Workshop formed part of a broader domestication process undertaken by the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with support from WEP. This process has included stakeholder sensitisation, the engagement of a consultant, a situational analysis of women’s economic conditions in the State, a review of existing legal and policy frameworks, and stakeholder consultation on the domestication of the National WEE Policy.
Having deliberated on the content, structure, vision, goal, targets, pillars, enablers, governance framework and financing sources of the policy, participants unanimously validated the Zamfara State Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy.
The validation was conducted following a presentation and a motion called by the Permanent Secretary of the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaji Garba Aliyu Gayari.
The motion was moved by Musa Garba, Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General from the Zamfara State Ministry for Justice, and supported by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Alh Garba Aliyu Gayari and seconded by Hajara Abubakar Sani, Director Women Affairs, Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with participants unanimously validating the policy.
Participants agreed that a Zamfara State specific Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy is both timely and necessary, as empowering women and promoting women’s education, protection and financial inclusion will improve household wellbeing, strengthen family livelihoods and contribute to sustainable community and state development.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the effective domestication, approval, implementation and periodic review of the Zamfara State Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy as a strategic instrument for promoting women’s economic empowerment, inclusive growth, poverty reduction, household wellbeing and sustainable development in Zamfara State.
Attached here is the communique issued at the end of the Two-Day Stakeholders’ Consultation, Expert Review and Validation Workshop on the Domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy in Zamfara State.
