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BOI to initiate gender sensitive programmes, increase funding for women

By on January 14, 2013
Managing Director BOI, Evelyn Oputu

Managing Director BOI, Evelyn Oputu

The Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BOI), Ms Evelyn Oputu, said in Abuja that the Bank would emphasis more on women empowerment programmes.

She disclosed this during a private sector meeting with UN women with Secretary General, Michelle Bachelete.

The event was tagged, “Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.”

Oputu said BOI has decided to promote women empowerment because women are a vital force in the world, stating that gender issues are sensitive and must not be overlooked.

She said, “We are going to have a programme that will address the bottom pyramid of the society in terms of empowerment and we are taking into consideration specifically the gender issue because gender issue is not only about being given equal opportunity but how the society is responding to basic things that surround women.

“The paradigm shift was introduced to take care of rural women because most banks were not lending or granting loans to the women due to reasons known to them but the BOI said 85 per cent of its fund would be geared towards developing SMEs in its bid to assist the women knowing very sure that this is the major area where women are operating.

“SMEs Desk was introduced. Consequently, the banks and other financial institutions have also introduced the SMEs desk to take care of women empowerment.”

The Manager said she has been on the issue since she took over office in 2005, noting that at some other parts of the world, women work together but that such was not the case in Nigeria.

In a remark, the Vice-President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Toga McIntosh, noted that it was within the power of the commission to take matters relating to gender sensitivity seriously and make them work, because gender issues were not matters to be taken likely.

He however promised that on their part, they were ready to offer their support whenever the need arises.