As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Thursday called on 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 call was made on the eve of the commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu.
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 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 it also has the potential to position them to contribute meaningfully to national and global development.
According to him, we are witnesses to the giant strides being made by women in the few societies where they are recognized as formidable agents of positive change, and indeed 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 however regretted that in spite of increased awareness and sensitization on the issue of gender equality and gender inclusiveness, the society still discriminates against women, blaming culture as the root cause of this anomaly, forgetting that such excuses are no longer tenable nowadays.
The NHRC’s Chief Executive Officer decried the near absence of women in key positions like President, State Governors, Senators, captains of industries and Heads of Multinational Oil and Gas Cooperations, saying that discrimination in these areas have continued over the years despite the facts that there are several eminently qualified women to take such positions.
He said: “Women undeniably remain the beacon of hope, the torchbearers of the future and with the increasing advocacy for women support and affirmative action, they will surely change the narratives”.
Besides, he stated that Countries governed by women both in Africa and Europe have really experienced a huge change, thereby making the world a better and greater place for everyone to happily live in”, he said.
The Executive Secretary used the opportunity of the observance of this year’s IWD to call on the 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, which has further been exacerbated by the rising wave of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in various towns and communities in the Country.
The International Women’s Day is marked on 8th March annually.
