Federal and State governments have been called to implement those policies passed into law to promote the welfare of women as Nigeria joins the globe today to mark International Women’s Day.
The immediate past director of National Orientation Agency NOA in Abia State, Dame Dr Ngozi Okechukwu made the call while interacting with our correspondent on the celebration of the day.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century.[5][6][7] The earliest version was purportedly a “Women’s Day” organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference to propose “a special Women’s Day” be organized annually.
Dame Okechukwu who is also the Coordinator African Orientation Council and the President Initiative for Rural Revival and Enlightenment, said the theme for 2023 International Women’s Day “Digital Innovation and technology for gender equality” is quite interesting because it serves as an important reminder of the immense potential that digital transformation will hold for accelerating gender equality and women empowerment.
According to her, the federal and state governments have tried to an extent to ensure gender equality through policy formulations. She commended the wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu for working tirelessly with Abia State House of Assembly under the leadership of Chief Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji to sign into law the Abia State violence against all persons prohibition law, hence Abia State became one of the few states with robust legislation against various forms of violence women inclusive.
Dr Ngozi maintained that the passage of the Abia state female person’s right of inheritance of property bill 2022 by the Abia State House of Assembly was received with joy because of its significance in improving the welfare of women in Abia State.
She therefore recommended that more women should hold leadership positions to amplify their voices, use their technological platforms like the social media to create more awareness to ensure that women understand their rights and also called for empowerment of women in technology and provision of skills.
Dr Okechukwu further recommended that “the time is now for women to amplify their voices and support their fellow women more often using digital technology and innovation responsibly and positively, because a lot of bloggers have used their platforms to bully their fellow women instead of supporting them.
Her words”when a woman shares her story of violence, she takes the first step to breaking the abuse circle, it is on us women to give her a safe place to speak up and be heard, because the perpetrators are the sole reason for assault and must bear the responsibility alone.
She advised women to work with traditional institutions, adding that working with the wives of traditional rulers, the president generals of our town unions are critical in abolishing traditional practices that undermine women, traditional institutions and attitudinal change.
“Why are we surprise with the rising rape cases, when our traditional society has given value for culture of control and dominion through obsolete traditional practices.
She called on women to work with traditional institutions to ensure that gender equality is improved and enhanced whether it’s using technology or any form of innovation to achieve it. “women must collectively put their heads together to do this”.
