The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for continuous investment in initiatives that preserve indigenous languages and promote literacy among women and girls. The Minister in a statement issued on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day, charged all stakeholders, government agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to continue to ensure preservation of mother tongue.
Hajia Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while highlighting the power of language as a vital instrument for cultural identity, social inclusion, and sustainable development, noted that, this underscored the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous languages, which serve as the bedrock of heritage, knowledge systems, and collective progress. As Nigerians and other stakeholders strive for gender equality, the Minister said women and girls must be empowered to learn, express themselves, and engage meaningfully in their communities using their mother tongues saying Language inclusivity enhances access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, particularly for rural women and marginalized groups. She called for effective collaboration to ensure that language remains a bridge, not a barrier, to empowerment and national development.
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