The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has disclosed the Federal Government’s intention to introduce a N200 monthly health insurance scheme for 37,000 women across Nigeria, aimed at improving their access to healthcare services.
Addressing reporters in Abuja, Kennedy-Ohanenye underscored that the initiative is designed to bolster women’s well-being and is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She highlighted that the health insurance package, amounting to N2,400 annually, will be administered in collaboration with a microfinance institution, PLUG.
Proposed Empowerment Programs by the Ministry:
Kennedy-Ohanenye outlined the government’s strategy to empower women economically. She noted that the distribution of 37,000 point-of-sale (POS) machines aims to facilitate financial transactions and uplift the economic status of women.
“Additionally, any woman receiving this POS will qualify for heavily subsidized health insurance, requiring only N200 per month, totaling N2,400 annually, underwritten by the same microfinance institution, PLUG,” she stated.
She stressed the importance of engaging various stakeholders, including traditional and community leaders, lawmakers, governors, state women affairs ministries, and market leaders, to ensure equitable resource distribution, particularly in rural areas.
“We are engaging traditional and community leaders, lawmakers, governors, state women affairs ministries, and market leaders to distribute these resources. This approach ensures that capable individuals, even in rural settings, are included in our initiatives,” she remarked.
Furthermore, the minister announced plans to distribute 300 laptops to women and People with Disabilities (PWDs) as part of job creation initiatives, providing them with IT training and online job opportunities to generate income.
Kennedy-Ohanenye also unveiled the Pink Riders Initiative, which will commence in army barracks to ensure the safety of female operators before expanding nationwide. This initiative aims to empower women by providing them with tricycles to support their livelihoods, ultimately fostering financial independence.
Additionally, she highlighted collaboration between the Ministry of Women Affairs and the military in agricultural programs to enhance food security and production at subsidized rates.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of women and children, emphasizing the establishment of mobile courts for swift prosecution of offenders and ensuring justice for survivors.
