Nigeria will be a better country with a stronger economy if and only if it embraces and acknowledges the rights of women and their importance in building a just, free and economic society, the President and Founder of the Leagues of Women Voters in Nigeria (NILOWV), Dr Dame Esther Uduehi has said.
Dr Uduehi disclosed this in Abuja in her address to mark this year edition of international Women’s Day, saying that the story of gender inequality in Nigeria is very pathetic and has become a clog in the wheel of country’s progress and development.
She explained that Nigeria will remain stagnant and underdeveloped untill gender equality is given adequate consideration, when all issues will be viewed from all sides of the coins.
“As I have always said, Nigeria is currently only seeing with one eye and so it’s blinded in the other. For as long as it sees with only one eye, things can not be right. She needs the second eye, she needs to see with her two eyes and we can all make her do so by playing our individual roles in this campaign”.
“My message is that the problem of gender inequality is no more a Women’s issue but an economic issue and each and every one of us has a role to play in achieving a gender balanced Nigeria that thus becomes an enabled society and an economic giant” she added.
Uduehi disclosed that the theme for this year editon of International Women’s Day was “I am Generation Equality: realizing Women’s rights. #EachForEqual #IWD2020”
“The campaign is to draw attention to the difference individuals can make in building a balanced and just world by doing our individual bits to bring about gender equality for as it is said an equal world is an enabled world” she said.
She stated that International Day of Women was designed to celebrate a struggle for women’s rights and gender equality that has been on for ages and generations.
While thanking ActionAid Nigeria for its partnership with the support of the Canadian Government, NILOWV President hinted that the League exists in the 36 States of Nigeria and FCT.
She called on people to join hands with the leagues where ever they are in the country, to ensure that rights of women are adequately protected.
“I am asking you to partner with us in the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) in our mobilization, education, sensitization and Advocacy efforts and drive to build a better Nigeria with the full and active participation of both men and women, boys and girls” Uduehi pleaded.End
