INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: So far, Thus Far

Violet Nwosu
March 8 every year is celebrated as the International Women’s Day declared by the United Nations. Nigerian Women also joined their counterparts all over the world for the celebration.

To mark this year’s celebration which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Women conference in China, attention is on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing declaration.

The Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, and Mercy Corps organized a one day symposium in commemoration of the 2020 International Women’s day with the Theme: I Am Generation Equality Realizing Women’s Right.
The Symposium attracted women from all works of life including the ” He” for “She” meaning the men amongst the women in attendance.

Some of the key issues discussed include equal participation of Women in strategic sectors in the society, for instance: more women in the parliament, women empowerment in Education, health, enterpreneurship, reduction of infant mortality and gender equality in all spheres of life.

Those in attendance were the Minister of Women Affairs Mrs. Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Director General Women Development Centre, Barr Mary Ekpere Etta, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu,the representative of the Emir of Kano Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru Wada, Mr. Michael Gboyega Ilesonmu representing the World Bank,the UN resident coordinator Edward Callum, among others.

Speakers at the symposium centred their deliberations on: equal pay, an end to Sexual harassment, equal participation in politics, health care services for women and all round gender equality.

The United Nations Beijing conference of 1995 marked a significant turning point for the global agenda on gender inequality as it sets strategic objectives and actions for the advancement of women.

More than 17,000 participants including 6,000 government delegates with more than 4,000 media representatives attended the Beijing conference 1995.
 

Violet Nwosu is a staff of the Media Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abuja