First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for an increased investment in women, describing it as a strategy for national progress.

She disclosed this in a statement shared on her X handle on Friday.

The statement read, “Today, on International Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman – daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, grandmothers and also great grandmothers, for your resilience, passion, courage that brought us thus far.

“The theme this year resonates deeply –’Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ It’s a call to action.

“This is the time to invest in women more than ever.

“Accelerating progress in any sphere requires that women have to be more involved.

“That is why I see investing in women, not as charity, but a strategy to build the future of our dear nation, Nigeria.”

Mrs Tinubu further called for increased access to education, resources, and opportunities for women.

She also stressed the importance of dismantling economic barriers and ensuring women’s voices are heard.

The statement added, “Equipping you with education, resources and opportunities to unleash your full potential, supporting your businesses, helping to dismantle economic barriers, and ensuring your voices are heard is a very crucial step.

“Therefore, my question to all women is: what are you doing to help the other woman? How are you investing in her?

“Let us all come together, bond and love one another. This is the pathway to accelerated progress. I charge all women; just pull a sister up, one at a time. You will be amazed what we can achieve collectively.”

PUNCH reports that the United Nations, while marking the International Women’s Day, decried the injustice, discrimination and marginalisation that billions of women and girls face.

In an OP-ED, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said there was a need for “public and private investment in programmes to end violence against women, ensure decent work, and drive women’s inclusion and leadership in digital technologies, peacebuilding, climate action, and across all sectors of the economy.”