Women
AS the world marks this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has called on governments at all levels and stakeholders to support efforts toward ending violence against women.
NCWS President Laraba Shoda made the call on Monday in Abuja in a statement to mark the IWD.
The theme for this year’s IWD is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”.
“The theme is apt considering the challenges that COVID- 19 has brought to the world.
“The pandemic has widened the gap of inequality, with women and girls worst hit.
“There is no better time than now for government and policymakers to find a solution to inequality.
“Women have continued to be seen as second-class citizens; this has to change.
”Women should be given the opportunity in all areas of life to showcase what God has deposited in them.
”Women should be given priority in all areas, especially economy and politics,” she said.
Shoda suggested that a certain percentage should be exclusively reserved for women in politics.
”If this is done, we will have more representation at all levels of human endeavour for the womenfolk,” she said.
Shoda explained that IWD was usually observed on March 8 every year, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
”It also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
”Today, we join our voices with people around the world and shout our message for equal rights loud and clear. Women’s rights are human rights.
”Today, on behalf of the council, we celebrate all women in all their diversities.
”We embrace their facets and intersections of faith, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual identity, or disability.
”We celebrate those who came before us, those who stand beside us and those who will come after,” she said.
She declared that women were good managers, stressing that more women as policymakers would bring the needed change the world was craving for. (NAN)
– Mar. 8, 2021 @ 12:49 GMT |
Tags: IWD: NCWS craves stakeholders’ support to end violence against women
