UN Women recognizes Nigeria’s improvements in gender equality through the Beijing Platform for Action, focusing on women’s political participation and empowerment. Support for legislative changes to ensure women representatives in government is underway, alongside initiatives by UBA to honor International Women’s Day. Various stakeholders are engaging in dialogues to further women’s inclusion in national issues, emphasizing collaborative actions needed to address ongoing challenges.
UN Women has praised Nigeria for its advancements in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, particularly in women’s representation in politics, economic empowerment, and addressing gender-based violence. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, remarked during a consultation in Abuja on Nigeria’s Beijing+30 Report Review ahead of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) that significant progress has been recognized, yet challenges persist that necessitate collaborative efforts to promote gender equality.
The UK Commonwealth Parliament Association supports legislation to create special parliamentary seats for women in Nigeria as part of ongoing constitutional revisions. These proposals seek to amend the Nigerian constitution to add 37 seats in the Senate and 74 in the House of Representatives, alongside 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly, ultimately promoting women’s voice in government.
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) is taking substantial steps to mark International Women’s Day with programs designed to empower women economically and socially throughout March. These initiatives include webinars on health issues, a business-focused live event, daily trivia challenges, and distribution of care kits for schoolgirls, highlighting UBA’s commitment to financial inclusion and support for female entrepreneurship.
Various stakeholders gathered in Abuja to address the low participation of women, children, and Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in national affairs. Discussions emphasized the importance of transforming societal norms and ensuring that marginalized groups can access opportunities in political, social, and economic spheres. The Balm in Gilead Foundation called for increased advocacy for women’s involvement in politics as evidence shows underrepresentation despite higher population percentages.
Eyong highlighted that while Nigeria has made strides, ongoing assessment of its achievements and the identification of emerging challenges are crucial as it prepares for CSW69. Her remarks underlined the country’s commitment to gender-responsive policies and the need for inclusive participation across sectors in reviewing progress toward gender equality.
In conclusion, the UN Women’s commendation of Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action emphasizes the need for continuous efforts to tackle the existing challenges. The proposed legislative changes for special seats for women, UBA’s initiatives for International Women’s Day, and stakeholder discussions reflect a collective commitment to enhance women’s participation in politics and promote gender equality across various societal sectors.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
