Emir Sanusi: Islamic Principles Underpin Women's Financial Independence, Not a Western Idea

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has underscored the significance of women's economic empowerment, stating that it is not an alien concept, but rather an inherent right granted to them by Islam, enabling them to engage in independent economic activities.

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He made these remarks during the virtual launch of the Women Economic Empowerment Policy for Kano State, a collaborative effort between the Development Research and Projects Centre and funded by the Ford Foundation, Global Affairs Canada, and the Gates Foundation.

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Emir Sanusi highlighted the pivotal role women played in early Muslim societies, citing their rights to property ownership, inheritance, enterprise, and independent economic activity, which contributed to the prosperity of those societies.

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The Emir emphasized that the active participation of women in trade, scholarship, and community leadership was a cornerstone of early Muslim societies' success, and therefore, any narrative that suggests women's economic empowerment is foreign to their values must be rejected.

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For Kano State to remain competitive in the global economy, Emir Sanusi stressed the need to fully utilize the intelligence, resilience, and productivity of women, as a prosperous state cannot be built on the marginalization of half its population.

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The Emir pledged the Emirate Council's support for the policy's implementation, committing to use traditional platforms to advocate for girls' education, women's access to economic opportunities, and community acceptance of women's entrepreneurship.

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Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, described the policy as a significant milestone in Kano's journey toward inclusive and sustainable development.

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The state government has already begun translating the policy into action, including the monthly disbursement of ₦50,000 to 5,200 women across 484 wards in all 44 local government areas, according to Governor Yusuf.

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Maryam Uwais, founder of the Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative, emphasized the importance of reaching rural women and adolescent girls, particularly those who are unskilled or out of school, during the launch.

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The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by the Director of Economic Development, Musa Aliyu, affirmed the federal government's commitment to provide technical guidance and support to ensure the policy yields tangible outcomes.

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The Women Economic Empowerment Policy aims to lift 2 million women out of poverty and contribute 30 percent growth to Kano State's economy, reinforcing the state's commitment to inclusive economic reform and recognizing women as key drivers of sustainable development.