…ADVOCATES PROMOTION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS, GENDER EQUALITY.
One of the prominent groups at the forefront of women’s rights advocacy , Women in Governance (WIG) Sponsored by Engage Diaspora Foundation has called to governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality.
The President of the group, Mrs Aisha Opeyemi Oni who made the call during this year’s international women’s Day celebration in Nigeria, noted that the appeal comes at a critical juncture, as women and girls continue to face myriad of challenges that hinder their progress and empowerment.
She explained that Women’s empowerment was essential to break the cycle of poverty, promote economic growth, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
“Promoting women’s rights and gender equality is not only a moral imperative, but also a necessary condition for achieving sustainable development, social justice, and human rights.
We all know that equality and adequate empowerment for women is a progress for all. And this will enable our women to make informed decisions for their advancement and in turn contribute immensely to the development of our society” she remarked.
The President also used the occasion to call for affirmative action, seeking increased representation in government and leadership positions.
Mrs Opeyemi Oni noted that the clamour for affirmative action became imperative to address the systemic inequalities faced by women, and reiterated the importance of achieving the 35% affirmative action for women’s representation in leadership positions.
“In Nigeria, women face numerous challenges, including limited access to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare,” Oni said. “
“Women are underrepresented in decision-making positions, and this has hindered their ability to influence policies and programs that affect their lives,” she remarked “Affirmative action is essential to address these disparities and ensure that women have a voice in shaping the future of our country.”
She urged governments to enact and enforce policies that promote gender equality and protect women’s rights, while calling on organizations and individuals to support women’s empowerment initiatives and challenge discriminatory practices.
She identified key areas that require urgent attention to include, equal access to quality education, vocational training, and economic opportunities and eradication of all forms of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, rape, human trafficking, and female genital mutilation.
Others are women participation in decision-making positions, including politics, business, civil society, and community leadership, to ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are represented and the protection of women’s reproductive health and rights by the provision of comprehensive reproductive health services.
