Tradition, culture responsible for gender inequality ― Mrs Akeredolu

The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyawu -Akeredolu, on Wednesday, identified tradition and cultural norms as some of the factors responsible for the inequality of men and womenfolks in Nigeria

Mrs Akeredolu who stated this during the 2019 International Women Day’s celebration in Akure, Ondo state capital, said despite the global awareness on the celebration of International Women Day since 1975, gender inequality persists in Africa.

She noted that gender inequality exists in virtually all spheres of life despite the efforts to bridge the gap, noting that society would become a better place when there is gender balance across the socio-economic spectrum.

According to her, gender equality is a great catalyst for sustainable development but expressed her displeasure over placing women as second class citizens in Nigeria

Mrs Akeredolu said ” little wonder the country has not made substantial progress in national development. To change this undesirable narrative, conscientious effort must be made towards empowering women.

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“The empowerment of our women cannot be left to chance. As Ester Duflor puts it ” achieving gender equality throughout the socioeconomic spectrum will not automatically follow development, there is a need to carry out deliberate actions targeted at improving women’s decision making power at both the household and societal level. ”

She said in the wake of the gender parity realities in the State and its daunting effect on family health and wellbeing, the forum of Wives of Ondo State officials and female political appointees (FOWOSO), has been working to improve the socioeconomic status of women in the State.

She disclosed that thousands of women across the 18 Local Governments of the State have been empowered with skill acquisition, empowerment items and health information.

Besides, she said over 700 girls have been trained to become proficient in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and solar technology.

Mrs Akeredolu said this year’s International Women Day would see to the launching of the Solayo Initiative in order to promote safe motherhood in the State by distributing birth kits to all needy pregnant women in all the council areas of the State.

She added that the Solayo Initiative would enable wives of Local Government chairmen to host needy women at the grassroots and give them birth kits in order to reduce maternal and child mortality in all council areas of the State.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi said all hands must be on deck in order to build a gender-balance world.

She said women should join hands to end gender discrimination adding the opportunities must be given to gender balancing so that every woman can achieve her full potential in life.