The 21st Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs began yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, with focus on addressing issues bordering on women, children and vulnerable groups.

The five-day meeting had delegates drawn across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The theme of the forum is “Gender Equality: A Panacea for Ensuring Security and Sustainable Economic Recovery in the Post COVID-19 Era”.

Addressing the technical session on Monday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Adebiyi Olufunso, noted with delight the result recorded during the 19th and 20th edition of the meeting held in Akure and Abuja.

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He said the meeting is an annual event to provide a convenient platform to take policy decisions, initiate programmes and activities that will improve the lives and livelihood of women, children and vulnerable groups.

Olufunso, an engineer, said: “The theme is significant at this time given our desire for a secure, peaceful, equitable and just society where women and the girl-child will attain their potential and contribute to the building of the nation.

“The council meeting will deliberate on matters affecting women, children and the other vulnerable groups for informed decision making. It is also an avenue for experience and expertise sharing to address other emerging issues affecting our target groups.

“This technical session is designed as a formative ground for us to examine the policy initiatives and programmes hitherto submitted for council’s consideration.

“We will also at this meeting review challenges and lessons learnt from activities implementation and discuss the way forward to ensure we achieve set targets upholding best practices.”

According to him, 185 memoranda were received for consideration.

“Among these are 21 information memoranda and 164 action memoranda from 32 states and the FCT.”