It stated the initiative was set to engage private sector organisations across Lagos State to commit to the women empowerment principles and prioritise gender equality throughout their procurement and supply chain processes.

“The Affirmative Procurement Project comes at a time when global businesses increasingly recognise that pursuing gender equality is not only a moral obligation but a business imperative. Women-owned businesses comprise 40 per cent of small and medium enterprises worldwide, shockingly receiving only 1 per cent of corporate procurement contracts,” the statement partly read.

It further stated that the disparity was a critical issue that the project sought to address, with over 200 companies in Nigeria already signed up for the women empowerment principles.

It mentioned that the Affirmative Procurement Project aimed to rally even more businesses to join the movement.

According to WISCAR, the WEPs are seven guiding principles that provide businesses with a roadmap to promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

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