The Kwara State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Abosede Buraimoh, has said that the state government under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq places priority attention to women emancipation in politics, as well as, zero tolerance for violence against women.
Buraimoh, disclosed this on Friday (March 8, 2024) during a rally around major roads in Ilorin metropolis, as part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) in the state.
The event, organized by the state ministry of Women Affairs, was themed, “Count her in: accelerating gender equity through economic empowerment”.
The Commissioner explained that the celebration was also aimed at addressing issues on protecting rights and welfare of women.
“This celebration aims to bring to fore such issues that have to do with women such as gender equality, women empowerment, as well as curbing social vices against women. It also aims to showcase what Kwara is doing to protect interest of women”, she said.
The commissioner, who said that the celebration was not about competition with men, added that, “We know men are the head, we only ask for that space to exhibit our potentials, and contribute to development of our country”.
Talking about violence against women, Buraimoh said that the state government frowns at violence against women, describing it as totally unacceptable. She said that the programme targeted to preach against it.
She said that the theme: accelerating gender equity, through economic empowerment, was chosen to encourage women that, “whatever you’re good at, please showcase it. We have enabling environment here in Kwara state.
“This is evident in endorsement of 35% affirmative action for women inclusion. Also, there’s 50% of women in the governor’s cabinet cutting across strategic positions where women lead”, she said, while she encouraged women in the state to make use of the existing enabling environment to thrive.
Also speaking, her counterpart in the Education and Human Capital Development ministry, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, assured that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq would encourage other governors in the country to replicate 35% affirmative action plan for women inclusion as it has been recorded in the state.
She said that women are grateful for the support by the governor, while she advised men to desist from violence against women, and make use of available channels to vent their views.
Chairperson, the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the state, Mrs. Gloria Okoduwa, commended the state government and the state House of Assembly for approving Violence Against Person Prohibition law (VAPP) as against the penal code law on violence against women.
She said that VAPP has criminalized such cases of violence against women as rape, wife battery, body-shaming, economic and emotional violence.
She encouraged women to do follow up on reported cases of violence done against women, adding that family interference is the major problem in achieving conclusive end on cases of violence against women.
Ends
