By Justina Auta
An NGO, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, on Wednesday called on governments at all levels to protect the lives of vulnerable and marginalised groups, particularly women, in the country.
Ms Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Executive Director, BAOBAB, made the call in a statement in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, with the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.
Dipo-Salami stressed the need for government and other stakeholders to prioritise issues affecting women by implementing laws that protects and promote their rights.
“As we celebrate the International Women’s Day, BAOBAB urges the Nigerian government to assume its responsibility of protecting the lives of vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly women, more seriously.
“One way of accelerating this is by domesticating and implementing regional and international laws that protect and promote women’s rights.
“Laws like the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (The Maputo Protocol), which has been adjudged one of the world’s most comprehensive and progressive women’s human rights instruments,” she said.
She also emphasised the need to create a digital future with equal rights to safety, dignity and freedom, protect women and girls from online gender-based violence, and close the existing digital gender divide.
“We call on groups and individuals around the world to galvanise action towards making the vision of a gender equal world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination – a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, a world where difference is valued and celebrated a reality,” she said.
She said the the theme highlights the power of innovative digital technology in improving the lives of women and girls by eliminating all forms of discrimination and inequality.
