WOMEN DEVELOPMENT: We will intensify efforts to strengthen sustainable growth and development, and social justice- Dame Tallen

Oru Leonard

The minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has said that efforts in the 21st Regular Council Meeting on Women Development to hold in Uyo from 22 – 27 of August 2021, will be geared towards strengthening existing partnerships , forge new strategic alliances in addressing some of the challenges of building pathways to sustainable growth and development, and social justice which are catalysts to peace, security and national cohesion”.

Dame Pauline Tallen stated this during a media briefing on Thursday August 19, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

She disclosed that the one- week long event is the 21st in the series, with the theme of this year’s edition as Gender Equality : A Panacea For Enduring Security and Sustainable Economic Development in the Post -Covid-19 Era.

She noted that this year’s theme is apt at a time when Ministries, Departments and Agencies are ‘monitored based on their deliverables in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic ”

The event is expected to bring together, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Development partners, Donor Community, Programme Managers, Representatives of Security Sector, Civil Society Organisations and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

She said the scope and objectives of the six-day long event will consider a total of 185 Memoranda on Gender inequality, child education and protection, women’s participation and social inclusion in the society as top on the agenda to be brainstormed upon by the participants.

She stressed that was not enough to domesticate the Child Rights Act and other laws that affect women development but emphasised the implementation of the same by all states.

“Until we desire to have more women empowered, the economy will keep going round and round.

“We need to get more women because the more we get women empowered the better the country would become.

“The issue of lack of implementation of the Child Rights Act will be seriously addressed, it is not good enough to have the state domesticate the Act implementation is the key.

“Like the issue of gender-based violence, child abuse, the people are hurt, you go to the police station and the after one or two days the matter is ou.

“We are demanding for justice for all those that are hurting and we seek implementation of the child right Act.

“We are not fighting the men, we can only do development while working with you. If everything is done on equal basis, like women should have equal right, things would be good for the country,” she emphasised.

Highlights of the 21st edition will be the recognition of contributions of its partners who have supported the council by spotlighting the issues and proffering solution to them,  since its commencement in 2000.

The Awards  which are in different categories will be given to deserving recipients including, State Governors, Female Ministers, Wives of Governors, UN Agencies and Development Partners as well as Heads of Agencies and Faith Based organizations.

At the media conference Dame Tallen confered the HeforShe award on the new Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Engineer Olufunso Olusesan Adebiyi.

The Permanent Secretary who was elated said investment in women is an investment in the future of the family and the nation.