To enhance women’s political participation and promote rights and inclusion, UN Women recently hosted an ‘Open Talk’ session with key stakeholders to collaborate on strategies.
The ‘Open Day’ is a new initiative by UN Women and its partners, aimed at showcasing UN Women and partners’ work, advocating for, and soliciting political commitments from the state governor, legislators, and other critical stakeholders towards advancing women’s representation, governance, and leadership.
At the event, the UN Women Country Representative in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, said the event allowed participants from the six states of the South-South region to consider how to further promote coherence, accountability, and sustainability in the region.
She added, “The ‘Open Day’ also provides an opportunity for UN Women partners and beneficiaries to share their successes, positive impacts, gaps, and challenges, as well as reflect on where more action is needed and strengthen partnerships and collaborations to expand our reach and impact.”
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, stated his dedication to promoting gender equality and ensuring that Cross River sets an example for other states in Nigeria to follow.
Represented at the event by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Akiba Ekpenyong, Esq., the Governor emphasized that gender equality is not merely a feminist agenda but a fundamental human rights concern. He said, “We must all come together to ensure that women are given equal opportunities to hold leadership positions and contribute their quota to state and national development.”
He expressed his administration’s preparedness to partner with UN Women to abolish harmful cultural practices against women, stressing that any culture that is repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience must be abolished.
“I am so pleased that UN Women and its partners’ interventions are shaping modern-day cultures. I congratulate UN Women for navigating the difficult terrains of Cross River State and freeing women from the shackles of traditional and cultural stereotypes and practices, aligning them with modernity.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court ruling: Kano gov unfolds plans to conduct LG elections
“When women are empowered, every other sector benefits. This is evident in Cross River State, where we have very active women in politics holding top leadership positions in government.
The Commissioners for Sports Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Housing Development, Social Welfare, and Establishment, Training, and Pensions, as well as several other appointees, are women.
Our administration is very intentional about empowering women to bring the desired impact to the state and country,” Otu remarked.
Additionally, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, the Dean of Nigerian Commissioners for Women Affairs, emphasized that stakeholders in gender development nationwide will utilize current structures such as women in politics, wives of traditional rulers, and women in political positions to raise awareness and enhance advocacy for the importance of women’s involvement in governance, politics, and empowerment.
Dr. Adiakpan, who is also the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, highlighted that economic empowerment is crucial for women to actively participate in leadership roles and noted that with the vast majority of women in Nigeria still living below the poverty line, collaborative efforts must be strengthened towards the socio-economic development of women in Nigeria.
In his address, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, His Royal Majesty Uchua Amos Item, commended UN Women for their efforts in abolishing harmful practices such as ‘money marriage’ and female genital mutilation in their region.
He urged UN Women and their partners to extend their support to combat the traditional restriction of female inheritance that still persists in some communities.
Various individuals also shared their positive experiences of the significant changes brought about by UN Women’s interventions in Cross River, emphasizing the need to continue the fight against other detrimental customs for the betterment of society.
