Celebrating the International Women’s Day around the world, with the theme:”#EmbraceEquity”, a group Society for the Youth and the Downthroden, SOYD, has continued to call for more participation for women in technology advancement and inclusion the business of governance in the country.
In a press release issued to mark the Day, President, SOYD, Comrade Ogwuche Gabriel stated that so many characteristics in the Nigeria economic and political environment has made it difficult for the government to achieve the UN’s mandate for women in Nigeria, especially as it relate to gender equality, equal accessibility to common wealth and women inclusiveness in governance.
Ogwuche said: “Our independent findings gathered from the just concluded presidential election in Nigeria shows clearly that women political stance and representation in Nigeria is crashing instead of progressing and this is not a bad news to tell in details.
“We write to celebrate our women on this occasion of international women day and wish to reiterate that despite purposeful policies and programs, the idea still left much to be desired in Nigeria.
“As a group, we hold women at high esteem and will continue to create friendly environment that will make every Nigerians thrive with the work of their hands.”
However, he noted that, “it is important to note that we are living in a capitalist society where available opportunity is not given, but deliberately searched for, recognised and grabbed by prospective and aggressive individuals irrespective of gender or other variations.
“A great capitalist nation where basic opportunity for success and survival is almost, if not already in the lion’s mouth, to mention but just a few.
“These characteristics in the Nigeria economic and political environment made it difficult for the Government to achieve the UN’s mandate for women in Nigeria, especially as it relate to gender equality, equal accessibility to common wealth and women inclusiveness in governance etc.
“Even in a war situation all over, women, children, elderly etc are allowed to go about their businesses with free right of way, but here the reverse is the case with women and common man seen as prime target by the armed bandits and insurgents.”
He explained that, “This is apart from other right abuses suffered by women , ranging from domestic, economic, educational and political alienations.
Unfortunately, the Government and stakeholders are more interested in the ceremonial aspect, instead of the essence that necessitated the event and this is worrisome to us. The event should not be misconstrued as merely ceremonial, but global projects instituted by the General Assembly of United Nations Organisation to reflect on gender sensitivity, roles and rights/productivity of women in the society.”
Furthermore, the group used the occasion to urge women to love themselves and champion common interest, also calling on government to constantly promote women’s inclusiveness in the business of governance.
