Women
By Christabel EJenike
MAUREEN Chigbo, Publisher and Editor of Realnews Magazine, Nigeria’s pioneer online Magazine, has emphasized the crucial role women play in national development and stressed the need to address the challenges affecting women’s representation in politics and the economy.
Speaking at the UN Women stakeholders meeting, held in Abuja Chigbo noted the progress made so far and stated that marginalisation of women still persists globally.
According to her, in Nigeria, women hold only 3.5 per cent of National Assembly seats, down from 6.8 per cent in 2015 and the first female and 4th President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, citing the 1995 Beijing Conference.
Researchers Emeka Okafor and Monica Akokuwebe identified obstacles: social norms, political exclusion, economic disparities and lack of awareness. They advocate for increased women’s participation in leadership to address these issues.
Chigbo acknowledged the contributions of some inspiring Nigerian women like Queen Amina, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Professor Grace Alele-Williams, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Oby Ezekwesili.
And to reverse the trend, Chigbo called for collective action from governments, NGOs, donor agencies and the media to empower women.
“When you empower a woman, you empower the whole nation,” she said, assuring that the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, will publicize and implement the resolutions of the meeting.
24th September, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Margaret Ekpo Maureen Chigbo Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Oby Ezekwesili Professor Grace Alele-Williams Queen Amina Realnews magazine UN Women
