The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the government and other stakeholders to institutionalize policies and programmes that will enable women and girls to fulfill their aspirations and contribute to national development.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, made the call on International Women’s Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8.
NAN also reports that the day is celebrated for the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Ojukwu used the opportunity to call on governments to institutionalise policies and programmes that will enable women and girls to fulfill their aspirations and contribute to national development.
He noted that a male-dominated world has left us with gaps in the overall development index, saying that with the benefit of hindsight, we can appreciate the unimaginable impacts made by women both in Nigeria and elsewhere once the opportunity comes their way.
Ojukwu stated that the theme of the 2024 celebration of IWD, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” is apt as it further buttresses the fact that committing resources to train and empower women does not only equip them to support their families but also has the potential to position them to contribute meaningfully to national and global development.
”We are witnesses to the giant strides being made by women in the few societies where they are recognised as formidable agents of positive change,” he said.
Indeed, he said, a good number of women have proven that they are good managers of resources and materials whenever they are entrusted with positions of authority.
He regretted that, despite increased awareness and sensitization on the issue of gender equality and gender inclusiveness, society still discriminates against women.
This, he said, is blamed on culture as the root cause of this anomaly, forgetting that such excuses are no longer tenable nowadays.
The executive secretary decried the near absence of women in key positions like president, state governors, senators, captains of industries, and heads of multinational oil and gas corporations. Regrettably, this discrimination in these areas has continued over the years, even though there are several eminently qualified women to take such positions.
“Women undeniably remain the beacon of hope, the torchbearers of the future, and with the increasing advocacy for women’s support and affirmative action, they will surely change the narratives.
”The countries governed by women both in Africa and Europe have experienced a huge change, thereby making the world a better and greater place for everyone to happily live in,” he said.
Ojukwu, therefore, calls on federal lawmakers to consider passing the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, hoping that it will reduce gender-based violations and legally equip women to challenge the inequalities besetting them.
According to him, this has further been exacerbated by the rising wave of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in various towns and communities in the country. (NAN)
