The Lagos State government has revealed plans to domesticate the National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) policy as part of ongoing efforts to foster economic independence among women in the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Dada, announced the plan on Friday at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.

WEE policy is designed to boost women’s participation in agriculture, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries.

According to Ms Dada, the policy aligns with the state’s THEMES Plus Agenda to include and empower women economically.

She said, “We are working to ensure Lagos women are not left behind in national development strategies.

“This policy will serve as a guiding framework to harness the full potential of women across key economic sectors.”

She disclosed that about N2 billion was invested by the state government in various empowerment initiatives targeting vulnerable residents.

Ms Dada said the state government had trained and graduated 10,464 residents in 20 local government areas, with 5,013 beneficiaries expected to complete the training in two months.

The commissioner said that more than 2,000 cases of gender based violence (GBV) were reported in Lagos in the past year, including 195 incidents involving male survivors.

“We remain committed to tackling GBV in all its forms. Our response system is being strengthened to ensure survivors receive justice and appropriate support,” she said.

Ms Dada also provided updates on the ongoing construction of the domestic violence survivor shelter in Agidingbi, which she confirmed is now 70 per cent completed.

“This shelter will offer temporary accommodation, psychosocial support, and free legal services to survivors of domestic violence. It’s a critical part of our reintegration efforts,” she said.

She said the ministry reached more than 16,000 young women and rural dwellers through its free sanitary pad distribution scheme, which is aimed at improving menstrual hygiene.

(NAN)