The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has called on countries to provide greater economic opportunities for women, describing such opportunities as essential for national and global development.
Mohammed made the remarks on Monday during a high-level engagement at the United Nations House in New York, where she received Deborah Jan Hornecker, Founder of Women Leaders Support Advancement (WLSA), alongside members of the organisation and its diaspora leadership.
During the meeting, Mohammed commended Nigeria’s efforts in supporting women, particularly those who are vulnerable and underserved, while praising WLSA’s grassroots-driven initiatives aimed at empowering women in local communities. She urged the organisation to sustain its humanitarian interventions, describing its work as “timely and impactful” and highlighting the importance of inclusive social and economic opportunities for women.
In response, Hornecker, representing WLSA and partner organisations including DEFAUYA Women Foundation, Ramat Foundation, and Chayah Hope Foundation, expressed appreciation for Mohammed’s leadership and support for women-focused initiatives. She reaffirmed WLSA’s commitment to advancing the welfare of disadvantaged Nigerian women, stressing that grassroots empowerment remains central to the organisation’s mission.
Hornecker also delivered a keynote presentation at an economic summit held at the Nigerian House in New York, titled “Women at the Centre of Global Progress: Leadership, Inclusion, and Collective Responsibility.” She called for global support systems for vulnerable women and highlighted WLSA’s efforts in bridging advocacy and opportunity—from grassroots women entrepreneurs to Nigerian women in international institutions.
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She said, “Empowering women and youths is fundamental to stabilising societies and strengthening economies. Real-life humanitarian encounters, including widows supporting large families, abandoned patients, and unsupported new mothers, continue to drive WLSA’s compassionate interventions.”
Hornecker urged Nigerian women in the diaspora to engage in community development at home and encouraged leaders to adopt servant leadership grounded in humanity and compassion. She concluded by emphasising that women are central to progress, noting that resilient and inclusive nations are built when women lead and are adequately supported.
Women’s empowerment initiatives in Nigeria are gaining momentum, including the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project, which aims to reach 25 million beneficiaries nationwide by providing access to finance, skills, and markets. The European Union has also completed a digital skills program targeting women, youth, and persons with disabilities in North-East Nigeria, training over 18,000 individuals and establishing 32 IT hubs.