Gender Equality Critical to Peace Building – NGO
By Khadija Aliyu
Gender equality and inclusion has been identified as critical in facilitating enabling environment for peace and stability in Nigeria.
The representative of a Non Governmental Organization, Mercy Corps Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP) Hajiya Amina Bello made the assertion during a one day interactive session to commemorate 2022 International Women’s Day, organized by the NGO, in collaboration with Center for Gender Studies, Bayero University Kano and NAWOJ, held in Kano.
According to her, the session targets women with disabilities, media, representatives of government and civil society organizations across the state.
Hajiya Amina explained that, Mercy Corps was committed to amplifying voice of women with disabilities and promoting stability and inclusiveness in the society.
“All hands must be on deck to promote gender equitable and inclusive society” – Amina asserted.
In her remarks the, Vice President Zone A, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajiya Halima Musa described the rejection of the five gender bills by the national assembly as unfortunate.
She appealed to members of the federal legislature to as a matter of urgency withdraw their earlier posture and allow the gender bills to be reconsidered and passed into law.
“Until the gender bills are reconsidered and passed into law, Nigeria cannot be seen or considered as a full democratic nation” – Halima submitted.
Also speaking the Kano state Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Bilkisu Ado Zango, represented by her Vice, Hajiya Maryam Magaji Hamid said the interactive session was apt, in view of the problems being faced by women especially those with disabilities.
She reiterated the associations readiness to partner with relevant stakeholders in uplifting the standard of living among women.
Some of the participants who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Kano NUJ chairman comrade Abbas Ibrahim, Rabi’a Muhammad, Barrister Aisha Aliyu and Amina Abubakar called for inclusion of more women in decision making.
The event themed: “Gender Equality Today for a Stainable Tomorrow #BreakTheBias” attracted attendance of women with disabilities, journalists, academicians, civil society organizations among others.
