By Zainab Oyekan
Some women leaders in Plateau on Thursday in Jos, called on the female gender to step up the gender equality struggle to accelerate development.
The leaders made the call at a programme to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration by Women and Girl -Child Rescue and Development Initiative (WGTDI) and Women for Women International.
Mrs Bridget Dakyes, the Executive Director, WHTDI said this year’s celebration was a call to action for women to move faster to break systemic barriers.
Dakyes emphasised that achieving equality was not just a moral imperative but also a societal necessity because empowering women was beneficial to everyone.
In a key note address, Mrs Kyenpiya Mafiyai, the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, urged women and girls to take decisive steps towards achieving rights, equality, and empowerment.
Mafiyai said there was a need for women to actively push for recognition, particularly in the political space.
She noted women were faced with huge challenges, including societal biases, cultural limitations, and systemic barriers that were hindering their participation in leadership and decision-making processes.
Mafiyai said that in spite of these obstacles, however, opportunities still existed for women to break such barriers through advocacy, education, and collective action.
She, however, urged stakeholders to create enabling environments that would support women’s ambitions and rights.
On her part, Mrs Justina Ngwobia, the Executive Director,Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM), called for the elimination of discriminatory laws and practices that were enabling inequality.
Ngwobia also urged governments to reform laws and enforce policies that would protect women’s rights and ensure that equality was not just a promise but a reality.
She encouraged women to accelerate the pursuit of gender equality internationally and with a clear focus. NAN
OIZ/DOR
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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore
