TALLEN CANVASSES FOR DAYCARE CENTRES IN WORKPLACES TO BOOST ECONOMY
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen has canvassed for the need to have daycare centres at every workplaces to boost economy.
The Minister made call on Thursday in Uyo, at the opening/ministerial session of the 21st Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs.
She said that the practice would benefit the economy by ensuring that the both spous continue to work as they will jointly contribute to the upkeep of the family.
Tallen said that by investing in such structures, women would be able to contribute maximally to the Gross Domestic Product of the economy.
She therefore called on all organisations at all levels to key into the initiative of setting up support facilities for working class mothers.
She said that the ministry would continue to prioritize girl child education to address the challenges the society, and to also step up more advocacy at the both Chambers of the National Assembly and within the governors.
According to her, the 2006 National Gender Policy is currently undergoing review to align it with the current realities, and would be formally presented to the federal Federal Executive Council for further approval.
She said that the strategies for achieving the gender policy goals and objectives were premised on the dual agenda principles which perceives gender equity and equality as beneficial.
She added that the ministry had made a lot of progress in the areas of domestication laws, child related issues, girl child intervention, gender policy formulations.
Others are addressing gender based violence, women political participation, campaign for on issues related to women and children, women empowerment as well as campaign for peace.
Tallen said that the ministry was currently pushing for the passage of Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB), a bill being sponsored by Sen. Biodun Olujimi of Ekiti State.
She therefore called for inclusive Nigeria Constitution that would address the demands and positions of the women.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the decoration of some prominent Nigerians with an award of HeforShe.
The HeforShe award were given to them for identifying with women, showing cares to widows and the less privilege and for standing out as excellence in their choosing careers.
Those given the award are Clem Agba, the state Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mr Sunday Dare, Minister for Youth and Sports and Peter Hawkins, UNICEF country representative.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister for Interior, and Prof Mahmood Yaqub, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The award also went to other Nigerians who have done well in their communities.
(NAN)
