Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Abubakar, has admonished women and girls to believe in themselves and work towards achieving their dreams irrespective of challenges and obstacles.
The minister who made this declaration at the 2019 international women’s day, which was held on Friday, at Government Secondary School, Dutse in Abuja, encouraged young women to take courage from successful women and fulfill their dreams.
Abubakar said the theme of the 2019 events, “think equal, build smart and innovate for change” was meant to boost women participation in inclusive development and decision making positions.
She further said the ministry was involved in a high level of advocacy and sensitization to educate the women and girl child on their rights both at home, social gathering and political space.
She said: “With the theme, UN member states are expected to focus on the innovative ways in which they can advance gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, particularly in the areas of the social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure in their countries.
“Countries are expected to sensitize and encourage stakeholders to examine ways in which innovations could remove barriers and accelerate progress for gender equality, women’s empowerment, encourage investments in gender responsive social system, build services and infrastructure that meet the needs of women and girls.
Principal, Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, Abuja, Habiba Husain, in her welcome address9 said, for the theme which is think equal,build smart and innovative change to be actualized women and girls are expected to think diligently and be vibrant contributors to the formation of policies and implementation that would take this country to the next level as their male counterparts.
She said the girl child should be able to know her rights and responsibilities in the society. Gone are the days when “women were meant to seen and not heard “.This can not be achieved if the girl child is not properly sensitized.
The principal appreciated the minister for using Government Secondary school, Dutse as the venue for this year’s international women’s day and urged the girls to take advantage of the unique opportunity and tap from wealth of experience.
The president Queens College Lagos Old Girl’s Association,Abuja/north chàpter,Fatima Hassan urged all women to avail themselves for the fight against drugs drugs which is gradually taken over the girls and women especially in the north.
“If every woman will assist in the fight against drugs abuse ,I think it will go a long way to reduce the epidemic, she stated
Meanwhile, the UN Resident Coordinator, Edward kalun said to innovate for change,women need to be smart and think equally like men, these are focus that will direct their productive contributions to the society.
Edward called on women to believe in themselves and be focused in the pursue of their dreams to be able to rise above challenges
He said ” this is a day that is so important to us in the United Nation(UN) and the member states,it is the day we try to recognize the contributions of women to development in general.It is a day when we try not only to look at the progress women have made through the years but also try to remember those challenges they still face in the society to contribute to economic and social development.
“We are in Nigeria where our women folks are still struggling,we will never get tired, we will keep agitating for the rights of women and needs of women to be fully engaged in the economic life of this beautiful country, Nigeria.We have to make it easier for women and we have to be there for them to be part of the beautiful future.