Buhari, others extols women as world marks Women’s Day

…Says together we’ll build the country of our dreams
President Muhammadu Buhari celebrates with Nigerian women and other womenfolk on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

The President in a congratulatory message to the women on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, payed tribute to them for the invaluable roles they play in building homes and by extension the nation.

He applauded their lofty contributions in both the public and private sectors of national life.

“This election season we are in has brought out in bold relief once again the crucial role women play in our lives as a people. They have stood up to be counted as aspirants, candidates, mobilizers, and voters. Indeed, what can we ever do without our women in all phases of our lives,” the President said.

He recalls diverse positions being held by women as ministers, head of the civil service of the federation, chief executives of agencies, permanent secretaries, directors-general, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, and many others, and reiterates that things can only get better at the Next Level.

Buhari said that “hand in hand with our women, we will build the country of our dreams, where there will be equal opportunity for all.”

According to the President, the fact that some of government’s most important policies and programmes like straightening of the hitherto dysfunctional pensions system, Africa’s largest Social Investment Programme (SIP), Diaspora engagements, energy solutions, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),

ports authority, foods and drugs administration and control, debt management, prohibition of trafficking in persons and many others are headed by women.

President Buhari noted that the aforementioned was indicative of the worth and value the government places on women, adding that “on a day like this, I hereby extol and appreciate them, on behalf of all other Nigerians.”

The International Women’s Day is designed to celebrate the potential, progress, and accomplishments of women and to highlight the utmost importance of creating a world that presents equal opportunities for all gender.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Balance for better.”

…WHO seeks end to gender inequality, maternal mortality, HIV scourge
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on member states and other stakeholders to initiate new global health outcome for women and girls.

Addressing journalists to celebrate the “International Women’s Day” in Abuja on Friday, the WHO acting OIC to Nigeria, Dr. Fiona Braka, identified deep-seated gender, equity and rights issues as well as other harmful practices, like female genital mutilation as factors responsible for the persistently high rate of HIV-related deaths, especially among young women.

Dr. Braka noted that lifestyle issues and risk factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases among women in Africa must be confronted by ensuring that girls remain in school until the completion of their secondary education.

She said that the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day: “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change,” is a clarion call that rapid economic and transformational development can only be achieved by addressing and resolving gender – based differences relating to health needs, risk behaviours, power and control over resources and information, and access to health services.

The WHO acting OIC to Nigeria further reaffirmed the commitment of the global body to improve health outcomes for women and girls to enable them realize their potentials and contribute to transformative socio – economic and political development in Africa.

“For its part, the WHO has prioritized and promoted leadership in gender, equity and rights across all its health policies and programmes with a view to achieving universal health coverage and attaining the triple billion goals set out in our new programme of work.

“Many countries in our region have made great strides towards gender parity in education, health, economic and political systems, and have incorporated multi-sectoral actions for advancing women’s health through the life course in their national health development strategies.

“These advances are reflected in the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report which shows that over the past decade, our region has improved more than any other in closing the health and survival gender gap.

“Indeed, two countries in the region, Botswana and Lesotho have fully closed both their educational attainment and health and survival gender gaps.

African women are increasingly occupying positions of power and influencing bolder legislation and policy-making and demonstrating to other women that they too have a voice and can make decisions on issues impacting their lives,” she added.

…Nigeria must end gender imbalance, discrimination against women– NAPTIP DG
Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTP), Dame Julie Okah -Donli has stressed the need to remove every form of gender imbalance and discrimination in Nigeria.

In a statement made released on Friday to commemorate the International Day for Women, Okah –Donli stated that the agency through its activities has continued to implement actions and programmes that clearly oppose gender imbalance and discrimination in any form.

While stressing that the theme of this year celebration which is: “Balance for better” is apt, the NAPTIP boss said a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme of the present management of the agency which has been initiated to ensure that victims of human trafficking who are majorly women, are adequately cared for and properly reintegrated into society.

Part of the component of the initiative according to her, was the empowerment scheme which entails setting up a life-saving venture for survivors of human trafficking in the country.

She said that “as at the last count, over 20, 000 victims of human trafficking have been rescued by the agency with greater percentage of them being women.

“It is also worthy of note that three of the survivors who were trained by NAPTIP in higher institutions of learning in the country have been employed in the agency thereby boosting the moral of other victims and their hope of becoming functional members of the society.

“Similarly, few days ago, another fact finding team led by me concluded a visit to Mali where scores of victims of human trafficking mainly girls were trapped.

The visit also afforded us the opportunity of assessing the situation surrounding their ordeal and proffering solution that will eventually ensure their freedom and safe return/repatriation.”

She added that the agency has also reloaded its awareness creation mechanism targeting women dominated businesses like markets and other strategic locations in order to reduce their vulnerability in falling victims to the antics of human traffickers

“In the area of prosecution, NAPTIP has doubled her commitment to the implementation of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP).

“This is the Act that strengthened advocacy against rape, female genital mutilation, partner battery, stalking, harmful widowhood practices by state actors as well as prohibiting all forms of violence including sexual, physiological, and domestic and other discrimination against persons.

“I wish to assure the entire nation especially our teaming female population that NAPTIP, in line with its mandates shall continue to implement actions and policies that will enhance a balanced and better life for the women,” she added.

…NAHCO boss commends women in aviation sector
Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO PLC) Mrs. Tokumbo Fagbemi has praised women in the country for their contributions and achievements in the male-dominated aviation sector.

While calling for the involvement of more women to help grow the aviation sector, Mrs. Fagbemi also called on parents to educate the girl – child to take up science subjects in schools in order to become engineers in future.

Mrs. Fagbemi, who played host to the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN) in her office on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, said women in Nigeria had made enormous contributions to the socio-economic wellbeing of the country that could not be wished away.

She sought more active involvement of women in the efforts to build a better society, adding that women in various positions today were there on merit.

The NAHCO boss said she was excited that women in the aviation sector were taking key positions in the aviation sector especially in the area of airlines crew.

In her response, the President of APWEN, Mrs. Felicia Nnenna Agubata extolled the sterling qualities of Mrs. Fagbemi, saying the world was geared towards gender balance in boardrooms, politics and in the work for economies and communities to thrive.

Agubata urged NAHCO boss to encourage women engineers to grow professionally and attain their potentials in engineering while encouraging the girl – child to study the sciences which will ultimately lead to their choice of engineering as a profession.

She also said APWEN will continue to enhance the recruitment of, retention and career development of women engineers through training, mentoring and networking.