Adebule, others decry discrimination against women

The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, on Wednesday decried  the discrimination against women and the girl-child  in spite of government’s efforts to remove barriers and guarantee their rights.

Adebule made the remark at the 2017 International Women’s Day programme organised by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in Lagos.

Newsverge reports that International Women’s Day is marked every March 8, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Be Bold For Change’’.

Adebule urged women to speak with one voice and take bold actions to end all forms of discrimination and promote gender parity.

“We need to unite as women and participate in decision-making process to stop all forms of abuses, rape, domestic violence, women trafficking and sexual harassment.

“We must ensure that all female children of school age get access to education, while more women should be economically empowered.

“We cannot achieve these if we do not come together to support one another.

“The state government will continue to focus on policies and sustain efforts to ensure fairness, equality and full rights of women,’’ Adebule said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, urged women to take bold steps towards achieving their heart desires and refuse to be limited in their vision.

According to Ambode, it is only by taking bold steps that women can make the change that they have been craving for.

“Change signifies progress and overcoming barriers to greatness; we must embrace change with boldness to open doors of opportunities for ourselves,’’ the governor’s wife said.

In her own remarks, the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ms Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, described women as the backbone of every society.

“They deserve to be given their right of place,’’ Suomela-Chowdhury said.

She commended Lagos State Government for supporting women programmes and empowerment activities.

Mrs Lola Akande, the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, said that since 1999, the ministry had been empowering women and coordinating them for their development.

Akande appealed to men to support the women by speaking against social vices and other related issues affecting them.