Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, Chinese Consul-General in Lagos Ms. Yun Yujung, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) fellows and leaders of women organisations in Nigeria have called for removal of limitations affecting women in the areas of equality, education, development and empowerment
They spoke at a roundtable held yesterday at NIIA, as part of activities marking the International Women Day, 30 years after the Beijing Declaration.
Guterres, whose address was read virtually, and others at the event, theme: Beijing +30: Gender Equality and Women ‘s Rights in Nigeria – Progress, Challenges and Opportunities, agreed that women have broken barriers, shattered ceilings and reshaped societies, but more still need to be done.
Those who addressed the roundtable included Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, a professor of International Relations, Prof. Femi Otubanjo, Senior Research Fellow and Head of International Law Division, NIIA Dr. Chinyere Rita Agu, Executive Chair, Women Aligned for Community Impact in Nigeria (WACIN)Dr. Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, Executive Director of Engage, Empower, Educate Initiative (EEEI) Mr. Kalada Meshack-Hart, Chief Executive Officer, and Head, Women Aligned for Growth Mrs. Uduak Oludemi among others.
Guterres said: “The fight for gender equality is not just about fairness. It is about power – who gets a seat at the table, and who is locked out. It is about dismantling systems that allow inequalities to fester.
“And it is about ensuring a better world for all. When women participate in negotiations, peace lasts longer. When girls can go to school, entire generations lift out of poverty. When women enjoy equal job opportunities, economies grow stronger. And with parity in political leadership, decisions are fairer, policies are sharper, and societies are more just. Simply put: when women and girls rise, everyone thrives.”
Prof. Otubanjo, who was the chairman of the event, noted that there have been many areas of progress globally, after 30 years of Beijing declaration and some areas of progress recorded nationally in Nigeria.
“But Nigeria still lags behind significantly and unfortunately in many areas. Like maternal deaths, for example, we have the highest number in Africa.
“We have the highest number of children out-of-school. In terms of political and economic participation, we have the largest economy, the most vibrant society, and yet, we have one of the most progressive gender policies. So, really, what we have done here is to remind ourselves where we are today.
“So, what we have looked at are the various policies and weaknesses of those policies.
“And there is no doubt that there is a lot still to be done as far as Nigeria is concerned when it comes to gender equality. The bottom-line, of course, is that there is a prevalence of poverty.
“We have done very well in terms of girls’ education, but we can do better. Education is one of the greatest weapons of liberation. Access to finance, access to economic opportunities, those areas still need to be looked at.
“Of course, when it comes to cultural limitations, what women can do, what women cannot do, those ones are still very strong. If you liberate a woman, educate a woman, and empower a woman financially, there is a limit to which a man can dominate her.
“So, it’s a big project. And it’s not about women alone, because the problem of Nigeria is the problem of poverty that enslaves, that limits capability and action.”
The Chinese envoy extended her gratitude to the NIIA for providing the opportunity for the gathering to share the achievements and jointly embark on a new chapter, seeking developments in women’s causes and promoting the progress of human civilisation.
She said the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action adopted at the conference have become milestones in the global pursuit of gender equality.
The Chinese envoy revealed that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women, China will once again host a Global Women’s Summit in the latter half of the year to implement the important initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese government’s advanced concept of gender equality, she said, has provided the impetus for the advancement of women, the protection of their rights and interests, and their all-round development in China.
Dr. Nwakwesi said despite all the limitations affecting women, the womenfolk would take over more leadership roles in the country.
She urged women to forget about their marginalisation and form alliances for formidable women empowerment and synergy.
Other speakers called for abrogation of all cultural limitations and inconsistent laws affecting girls and women. They advocated for more education and empowerment, entrepreneurship, access to finance at lower interest rates, digital economy, and universal healthcare for rural women to tackle their maternal, sexual and mental health as well as enforcement of Child Rights Act.
They called for multifaceted solutions through governments, private sector and groups to tackle issues affecting women and election of more women in democratic offices.
Other issues include empowerment of women in engineering and STEM skills, strengthen of laws promoting technology driven engagements, better access to resources and employment opportunities and implementation of well-articulated policies and legal frameworks.
