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March 28, 2024

IWD: Group drums support for women equality

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By Ikenna Osuoha

An Abuja-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Save Our Heritage Initiative, says women equality is imperative for global sustainable development.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Ms May Ikokwu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on  in Abuja.

Ikokwu, who spoke in commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD), decried all forms of practices that promote discrimination and repression against women.

She called for total compliance with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) which prescribed that women and girls everywhere must have equal rights and opportunity.

She added that “marginalisation of women must stop. At school, women perform just as well as men, representing about 50 per cent of the population, yet at work you don’t get so many women in top positions.

“In politics also, it’s just a handful of women in both the Senate and House. How many governors and deputy governors are women in Nigeria?, anyway we are gradually getting there.”

The SOHI chief executive wondered why women could not be given equal opportunities to be able to live free of violence and discrimination.

According to her, women’s equality and empowerment is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development

Ikokwu, who lauded few women with outstanding accomplishments such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Amina Mohammed, said women were not to be seen only but their voices should also be heard.

She added that “the abuse and second class place reserved for women should end.’’

NAN reports that March 8 every year is set aside for the commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

The 2021 theme is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.’’ (NAN)

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