By Justina Auta
An NGO, Young Mom’s Support Initiative and some traditional leaders have tasked the incoming government and other stakeholders on women inclusion and empowerment to promote peace, unity and national development.
Dr Vivian Sonny-Nsirim, Founder and CEO of the initiative made the call at a symposium on the development of African Women & Public Presentation of the book” Diary of an African Woman (Exploring the high and lows of womanhood) in Abuja.
Sonny-Nsirim, urged the incoming government to prioritise women empowerment and inclusion to address challenges affecting women and girls, as well as sustainable development.
” Women inclusion is important and I appeal to the incoming government to include as many women as possible in the cabinets and other appointive positions that will aide in addressing challenges affecting women.”
She said proceeds from the book launch would be used to establish an academy skills acquisition centre for less privileged women as a means of empowering and reducing the prevalence of violence in the society.
She added that her organisation would continue to partner with traditional leaders to discourage marriage and other harmful traditional practices, as well as encourage the girl-child education.
“We will continue to campaign, go to the royal majesty, which will cascade down to the grassroots, which is where all these problems are coming from.
”We will continue to talk with them and the women at the grassroots level to change the perception of early marriage, others.”
The Guest Speaker, Prof. Casmiar Obialom, described women as vanguards of peace, unity and security in the country.
Obialom said the book would enlighten the public on the need to empower women and strategies to address Gender Based Violence (GBV), harmful traditional practices, restrictions on reproduce rights and poor political participation.
”Let us drive home the significance of women empowerment in addressing numerous economic challenges.
”The empowerment of Nigerian women through different requisite skills and start-up tools will contribute to reducing the level of poverty and help women unleash their potentials.
“The entrepreneurial skills of women would enable them do more for their families, households and the nation,” she said.
On his part, Dr Ahmed Abdullahi, Yakanaje of Uke, Karu Local Government Area, Nassarawa urged women to continue to promote peace and unity in the country.
According to him, the conferment of the traditional title, “Madaubiyar Uke” was in recognition of the Dr Sonny-Nsirim’s dedication, passion and qualities, which had improved peaceful coexistence in the state.
Similarly, Dr igwe Ochendu, Ezedigbo of Karu, while conferring the traditional title of Ugo Chinyere one of Igbo nation, urged women to continue to advocates for peace, unity and development in the country.
“We must embrace peace and unity of our beloved country.
”When there is peace and unity in the family, it will be reflected in the society,” he said.
Other highlights were the conferment of traditional titles and prayers by various traditional leadership such as the “Ugo Chinyere one of Igbo nation, Madaubiyar Uke on the author, Dr Sonny-Nsirim.
