Senate, stakeholders commit to advancing equity, women’s cause

The Nigerian senate and other stakeholders have expressed their willingness to advance the cause of Nigerian women, promote gender equity, economic empowerment and their political representation in the country.

They made the commitment at a conference with a theme, ‘Together Ensure Inclusivity: Loud her Voice’ in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in Abuja.

The conference was organised by Female Journalist Network Nigeria in collaboration with FCT Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

Chairperson, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, (SCOWAS), Sen. Ireti Kingibe reaffirmed the senators’ commitment towards amplifying the challenges of women with a view to bringing about the needed changes in society.

Kingibe, represented by Nana Sani-Kazaure, SSA Media/Publicity and Press Secretary, said: “The Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWA) is committed to amplifying women’s contribution while ensuring their role in socio-economic development are recognised.

“SCOWAS is set to foster a culture of inclusivity, equity and security through educational drive and advocacy for women. We are also willing to advance the course of women and girls in the country.”

Dr Dakuku Peterside, Chairman of the occasion and former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), noted challenges affecting women’s participation in society.

ALSO READ: UN chief calls for global action to defend women’s rights

Peterside said barriers bordering on poor political participation, entrepreneurship skills, limited funds, access to health and education were barriers limiting women from harnessing their potential.

“There are fewer women occupying political positions, instead of making progress, we are closing the gate and have left women behind.

“There are concerns that need to be addressed, our women encounter obstacles on the part of economic empowerment.

“Women are marginalised by cultural bias and education is the way out of all these,” he said.

He, therefore, urged participants to join forces and dismantle those barriers that are hindering women from attaining their full potential while ensuring that no woman’s voice is left unheard.

Dr Yetunde Adeniji, Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, said: “IWD serves as a reminder to support, amplify voices and advocates for the rights of women and ensure an end to discrimination.”

Joy Asonye, Convener of the event and President, Female Journalist Network Nigeria, said the conference aims to amplify the voices of women in the media to foster a gender-balanced society free from cultural, religious, and societal barriers.

Asonye added that the event was also to launch informative pamphlets aimed at creating awareness on the negative effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and ending the practice in Nigeria.

“Let us not just celebrate the strength, but also the challenges or barriers that have limited them.

“We must all be given the same opportunity and it is not only the journalist, but we all should amplify the voices of women, we all have a role to ensure inclusivity, advancing society.

“Let’s join hands to prepare a journey towards more inclusivity in the Nigeria landscape and our society will be better for it,” she said.

Also, Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, Chairperson, NAWOJ FCT, said: “Women’s voices have often been marginalised or overlooked in mainstream media coverage.

“To address this imbalance and foster more inclusive and representative reporting, journalists must work actively to amplify women’s voices in their reportage.”

Other activities include a panel session on ‘Empowering the Nigerian Women for the future’, launch of the FGM pamphlet and the conferment of awards to notable persons for their contributions to gender equity, women empowerment, amongst others.