As Nigeria grapples with a high poverty index, the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) is set to host the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024 (GS-24) to tackle the country’s escalating poverty crisis. The summit will bring together global and national policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and scholars to discuss innovative strategies for poverty reduction with a focus on gender and social inclusion.
New reports indicate that over 40% of Nigeria’s population lives below the poverty line, with systemic issues, including a lack of gender inclusivity in economic opportunities, exacerbating economic disparities. Women, who represent a significant portion of the impoverished population, face severe barriers to economic participation and empowerment.
Despite various government initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty, gender inequality remains a persistent issue, with women frequently excluded from key decision-making roles and economic advancements. Experts are calling for more inclusive policies to address both poverty and gender disparities, aiming to foster a more equitable society.
Olise Onwuka, PIC’s Strategic Communications Advisor, stated that the summit seeks to address Nigeria’s pressing poverty issues, noting that approximately 63% of the population lives in multidimensional poverty, with women, youth, and marginalized groups being disproportionately affected.
Prominent figures expected at the summit include Gideon Olanrewaju, CEO of AREAi; Chioma Agwuegbo, CEO of Tech Her; Ms. Nabila Aguele, CEO of Malala Fund Nigeria; and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Ms. Abigail Waya, among others.