By Stella Anekwe
The Anambra State Government has on June 23, launched and signed the Strategic Plan for Inclusive Response and Empowerment (ASPIRE) Project, a five-year roadmap aimed at strengthening social protection, gender equality, and inclusive development across the state.
The ASPIRE Project, which covers the period 2026 to 2030, is the strategic development plan of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. It was developed with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II), the Victorian Clarion Foundation (VICLAF), International IDEA, and the European Commission Fund.
Speaking during the launch in Awka, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, described the roadmap as a practical framework that will guide the ministry’s interventions, partnerships, and service delivery over the next five years.
She assured stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to implementing the plan, noting that it aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of strengthening social protection systems, promoting gender equality, supporting vulnerable groups, and fostering sustainable community development.
The Executive Director of VICLAF, Mrs. Lovet Uju Onyendilefu, said the ASPIRE Project is built on five key pillars focused on protection and justice systems, gender-based violence prevention, empowerment, and social inclusion.
According to Mrs. Onyekesi, the roadmap was developed through extensive stakeholder consultations and evidence-based assessments and is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service delivery, and enhance collaboration among stakeholders.
In a goodwill message, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Tochukwu Nweke, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Barr. Nneka Umeozulu, urged stakeholders to remain committed to the implementation of the roadmap to improve the lives of women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of RoLAC II, Dr. Josephine Ona, described the project as a major step toward advancing social development in the state, while other stakeholders commended the initiative and called for collective efforts to ensure the successful realization of its objectives.
Stella Anekwe is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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