The Senator representing the FCT, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe has demanded unity for gender equity, for the empowerment of women and for the safety of children.
She made the call as part of the 2024 International Women’s Day as she further said that “nations worldwide marvel at the prospect of advancing women’s rights, our resolve is further strengthened by the harrowing reminder of the vulnerability of our children, following the distressing event of 7th March in Kaduna where 287 school children were abducted by armed gunmen.
“This crime against our children not only deepens our collective resolve but crystallizes the urgency of implementing robust gender action policies and community empowerment, spotlighting the paramount need for safety and security in fostering an environment where women and children can thrive.
The full statement read, “On this International Women’s Day, with the United Nations rallying the world with the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” the Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWAS) advances a formidable stride into gender mainstreaming through the launch of its groundbreaking initiative, NCLUDEHer Nigeria.
“Echoing the global call, SCOWAS champions the theme, “Mobilizing Partnerships for Gender Mainstreaming in Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Agenda,” uniting various societal sectors towards achieving gender equity and women empowerment across Nigeria.
“As nations worldwide marvel at the prospect of advancing women’s rights, our resolve is further strengthened by the harrowing reminder of the vulnerability of our children, following the distressing event of 7th March in Kaduna where 287 school children were abducted by armed gunmen. This crime against our children not only deepens our collective resolve but crystallizes the urgency of implementing robust gender action policies and community empowerment, spotlighting the paramount need for safety and security in fostering an environment where women and children can thrive.
“As the Chairperson of SCOWAS I have taken the lead in articulating the framework within which our aspirations and actions must align, emphasizing that achieving an equitable and sustainable democracy in Nigeria demands conscientious responsibility to the tenets of good governance; where citizens, businesses, and government endeavor to rise above the rhetoric of half-measure advocacy roundtables for gender equity to embrace the task of progressive leadership through a Constitutional commitment to a Multi-Stakeholder, Multi-sectoral and intergenerational consensus.
“This vision is not just about dialogue but about embedding a proactive approach towards socio-political and economic equity for women across communities in Nigeria. It aims to converge efforts towards integrating inclusive national policy innovation outcomes, pivoting on impact-investment in women and girls as strategic drivers of national growth and productivity.
“NCLUDEHer Nigeria is designed with dedication to four foundational pillars—Engagement, Education, Empowerment, and Enablement—a testament to our mission for a society where every woman and child is empowered, educated and engaged in shaping the future. These pillars craft a roadmap for transformative action, targeting the amplification of women’s contributions, ensuring their roles in socioeconomic development are elevated and recognized. Through strategic engagement, educational drives, policy advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives, NCLUDEHer Nigeria is set to foster a culture of inclusivity, equity and security.
“In light of the recent tragedy, the NCLUDEHer Nigeria initiative underscores the importance of safeguarding our society against violence, ensuring every child’s right to education and protection is upheld. This incident is a grim reminder that our work towards gender equity must also address the pressing need to protect our children from the clutches of violence and terror.
“This International Women’s Day, let us unite in the spirit of resilience and hope. Let us stand together for gender equity, for the empowerment of women and for the safety of our children. SCOWAS, through the NCLUDEHer Nigeria initiative, opens it’s doors wide for partnerships, invigorating the national and international community to join hands in creating a future where gender equity and the safety of all children are a reality.
“Together, we can accelerate progress, inspire change and invest in a future where every woman, man, and child can live in a world free from fear, filled with opportunity and abounding in equity.
