Wife of the Governor of Abia State and Founder of Vicar Hope Foundation Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has stressed the need for a stepping up of efforts to create broader opportunities for the girl child to surmount challenges facing her by gender disparity.
Mrs. Ikpeazu who made the call in a statement to mark the 2020 International Women’s Day, equally called on stakeholders to work to close the social gaps that exist between gender.
She identified poverty, poor education and lack of access to information as factors retarding growth effort at empowering the girl child especially on the African continent.
The wife of the Governor while advocating for equal opportunities for both sexes in the workplace as well as a realization of gender inclusion in the polity noted that the Nigerian woman would thrive exponentially if properly protected and allowed to assume her right of place.
According to her: “Women are known to be resilient, determined, result oriented, and they mostly apply themselves diligently to any task set out before them. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said and I quote ‘If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day “I am Gender Equality” is a wakeup call for everyone. We must work as individuals and as collectives to improve our womenfolk in the areas of good health, quality education, information power, political empowerment, and economic empowerment. One of the major focuses should be to eliminate violence against women, the physical abuse, sexual assault, psychological abuse that are a result of the traditional and religious stereotypes.”
“We must encourage members of society to continue to recognize, appreciate and protect women’s right to identity and individuality, their sense of self-worth, their decision-making power, their access to opportunities and resources, and their ability to influence political and social change. The road to attaining gender equality requires sacrifices from all the players including our men folk,” Mrs Ikpeazu said.
She used the opportunity to commend men, fathers and sons who have stood up for women over the years.
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