With a view to ensuring more active participation in leadership, reduce workplace discrimination and inadequate access to health, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has called on women to collaborate in ensuring the realisation of gender equality in the country.
The Minister made the call today during the National Symposium on Social Inclusion and Women Economic Empowerment held at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD).
She stated that gender equality is a fundamental human right that is essential to achieving peaceful societies, noting that when women are empowered, it spurs productivity and economic growth in every given nation.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye explained that in realization of this fact, the Ministry under her watch, has introduced a lot of empowerment initiatives to equip women in order to alleviate poverty, create jobs as well as give them a voice to speak against social norms and cultural practices that demean womanhood.
These she said, include the Development of a Women Advancement Blue Print on Changing the narratives to accelerate the Ministry’s realization of its vision, goals and mandate; procurement of machines for sustainable empowerment so as to boost income, among others.
According to her, “this year’s global theme ‘Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment’ is timely, given the global impact of poverty in the lives of women and girls in the country and the need to fast track the achievement of gender equality in line with the global Sustainable Development Goal by 2030 as well as the 8 Priority Agenda of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and Commander in Chief, His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR”.
The Minister therefore called on Donors, Development Partners as well as relevant Stakeholders to support the Ministry in its drive towards the sustainable empowerment of women in order to promote wealth creation, social inclusion and gender equality in the country.
In his welcome address, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Gabriel Aduda called for increased awareness against all forms of discrimination against women
While stressing the need for collective effort to inspire inclusion, he said, “Imagine a gender equal world, a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive, a world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together, we can forge women’s equality”.
In a goodwill message, the Director; Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media; Save the Children, Amanuel Mamo stated that in many countries where national investment on women and girls is insignificant, huge gender equality gaps and socio-economic insecurity challenges, among others abound.
He therefore called on all critical stakeholders to urgently come together and take decisive actions to ensure the actualization of gender equality for women and girls in the country.
Highlight of the occasion include the Launching of the Guidelines for the Localization of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and Related Resolutions on Union Peace and Security.
Signed
Mrs. Grace Njoku
Head, Press and Public Relations
