Nigeria women played integral part in the country’s development – Minister

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan has said that Nigeria women have played integral part in the development of the country which cannot be easily forgotten.
Alhassan was speaking in Abuja on Monday at the “Women Peace and Security Conference” initiated and supported by the government of Norway, implemented by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and empowerment of women (UN WOMEN) in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
She also said the current global trend confirms the need for women to take active part in peace processes for their rights and priorities to be adequately addressed.
The Minister represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma Abagbogu said: “Nigeria women have been an integral part of our history, but a pivot of our future development as a nation. We cannot forget the contributions of women like Margaret Ekpo, Gambo Sawaba and Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, who worked tirelessly with the men to ensure women peace and security evolve to a new Nigeria, also the sacrifice of Kudirat Abiola and others who paid the supreme sacrifice in Nigeria. Consequently, we are doing all that is possible to improve the situation of women and girls and indeed all Nigerians.
“This administration through our actions and policies has expressed its desire in placing the country on the path of sustainable progress where every woman and girl can better achieve her dreams”.
In her earlier remarks the permanent Secretary, represented by the Director Social development Mrs. Elizabeth Egherevbwe noted that the main objective of the conference is to ensure that women can take part in peace process with the rights, needs and priorities of both women and girls protected in peace and security efforts with special focus on sexual violence and integration.
She said, “The gathering here today is expected to create awareness on the interventions of government, International Non-governmental Organizations (INGO) and development partners on women, peace and security in Nigeria”.