Ondo Women Affairs Ministry Unveils 10-Point Blueprint for Odatiwa Women Initiative

…Aiyedatiwa’s administration to deepen inclusive governance — Dr. Osamaye

Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has rolled out a robust and transformative blueprint aimed at empowering women across the state under the auspices of the “Odatiwa Women Initiative.” of the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Osamaye, disclosed this at a news briefing with journalists and stakeholders held in Akure, the state capital.

The engagement provided an in-depth look into the 10 key focal areas of the initiative, which she said aligns with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s inclusive governance agenda.

Dr. Osamaye noted that the Odatiwa Women Initiative is a people-centered, gender-responsive framework designed to build capacity, ensure social protection, and promote economic inclusion of women, particularly at the grassroots.

The 10 focal points of the initiative as unveiled include Odatiwa Skill-Up a Woman Initiative involving free training and skill acquisition programs aimed at empowering women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, thereby reducing unemployment and dependence among women in the state.

The second one is Odatiwa Cares and Inclusive Initiative which covers a range of welfare interventions such as free medical outreach for the elderly and vulnerable groups, care for widows and the elderly, and empowerment for women living with disabilities.

The third is Odatiwa Transformative and Mentorship Program
Focused on youth development and gender sensitization, this program includes the Ondo State Teen Girls Annual Conference, Ondo State Children Parliament, ‘Sensitize the Boy Child’ campaign, ‘Back to School’ initiative for adult females, ‘Tech a Girl’, and the ‘Pad a Girl’ hygiene support scheme.

It also has a health initiative tagged Ibi Irorun which is a maternal health campaign targeted at safe delivery, which includes sensitization programs and distribution of pregnancy kits to expectant mothers across the state.

The fifth is the Capacity Building for Women in Key Sectors which supports women farmers, entrepreneurs, artisans, and professionals through technical training, financial literacy, and resource facilitation.

The sixth is Odatiwa Market-to-Market Engagement which is a strategic mobilization initiative that targets market women for business enhancement, cooperative development, and access to support schemes.

The seventh is Odatiwa Campus Outreach;
a youth-focused campaign targeting female students in tertiary institutions with advocacy, mentorship, sexual and reproductive health education, and leadership training.

Gender Equality and Women-Inclusive Advocacy is also part of the initiative promoting equal opportunities, elimination of gender-based violence, and inclusive policy participation.

Others include Odatiwa Women Grassroots Political Support Movement designed to sensitize and mobilize women for active participation in politics, governance, and leadership positions across all levels.

Odatiwa Bridge the Gap Initiative aimed at addressing social and economic inequality by creating linkages between privileged and underprivileged women through empowerment partnerships and mentorship.

Dr. Osamaye emphasized that the blueprint is not just a policy document but a social contract with the women of Ondo State.

“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration is committed to raising the bar in women development. We are translating this vision into action by reaching every woman in the markets, campuses, farms, and homes,” she said.

She called for the cooperation of the media, development partners, civil society organizations, and local communities to actualize the goals of the blueprint, promising that the Ministry will be proactive in its implementation and monitoring.