Table 4.4: GDP at current prices (2001–2005) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Agriculture 34.95 36.52 32.6 34.21 32.53 Industry 44.16 41.21 46.3 40.4 41.69 Contribution of manufacturing to figures above 7.77 6.51 4.7 3.06 2.79 Building and construction 1.14 1.21 1.2 1.46 1.47 11.06 11.76 11.04 13.01 13.21 8.69 9.3 8.87 10.93 11.1 Wholesale and retail Services Source: CBN annual report and statement of accounts, 2005. Measures taken to promote gender equality 158 507. The CSAR acknowledges and applauds the efforts to promote gender equality. Nonetheless, it argues that more needs to be done to reduce the relatively higher female poverty rate, ensure gender equality in secondary schools, and facilitate greater representation of women in professional and managerial positions. Indeed, many institutional arrangements have been made over the years to increase the economic and political opportunities available to women and improve their living conditions. These include the Better Life Programme (BLP) for rural women, the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) and the Family Support Programme (FSP). To emphasise the importance that government attaches to gender equality, the National Commission for Women (NCW), established in 1990, was subsequently upgraded to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in December 1996. 508. The government has taken further steps towards promoting gender equality since 1999. In 2000 it adopted a National Gender Policy which seeks to integrate women fully into the mainstream of the economic, social and political life of the nation by enforcing the constitutional and legal guarantees of gender equality. 509. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs has established six zonal empowerment centres to train women in public affairs and equip them with skills for participation in the democratic process. It has also established three pioneer cottage industries in Kwali, Damaturu and Okpoama to promote female entrepreneurship, and it created a Women’s Fund for Economic Empowerment (WOFEE) to support women entrepreneurs. 510. Nevertheless, the battle for gender equality is far from won. It is estimated that 65 per cent of the population living below the poverty line are women. Currently, women constitute only 24 per cent of the federal civil service and occupy less than 14 per cent of all management positions. Similarly, women make up a small proportion of the number of professionals in various disciplines in both public and private employment. The percentage of males increases the higher the education level.