“Rebirth of the African Woman” campaign, an initiative for social-economic empowerment and protection of women’s rights, especially the vulnerable ,was unveiled in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The unveiling was in commemoration of the 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD) on Sunday.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year with focus on movement for women’s rights, and this year’s theme was: “Each for Equal”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was unveiled by the Women Rights Network (WRN) in Abuja.
Women groups and entrepreneurs, students, government functionaries and representatives of relevant government institutions including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Centre for Women Development were present at the event.
Princess Onyinyechi Ozoemelam, the President of WRN said that the campaign was a flagship initiative to address gender-based violence and discrimination, unemployment, poverty and other challenges hindering the African women from reaching their full potential.
According to her, equal opportunities, irrespective of gender, status and background is needed for women to contribute their quota effectively to nation building.
Ozoemelam said that the “Rebirth” initiative would offer practical capacity building, skills acquisition and illiteracy programmes for women, and therefore urged women to join hands and speak for one another.
“Women should no longer see themselves as competitors but collaborators for them to take their rightful place.
“This vision is bigger than just one person, so women from all over Nigeria should come together to discuss a way forward.
“After this unveiling today, we will present a comprehensive road map to transform as many women as possible from the North, South, East and West.
“Our rebirth campaign is not just to carry placards or scream at rooftops, but to consciously and evidently transform women from point A to point B.
“We are renewing the minds of women from people who feel entirely helpless to persons who resonate pure value in society.
“Women are meant to be strong, independent, intelligent and active members of society, and this is rebirth for us,” she added.
She said that mentoring forum for youths and vulnerable children, especially females would also be created under the initiative and therefore urged relevant stakeholders, particularly policymakers to identify with the project.
Stakeholders at the event in their respective goodwill messages, identified lack of equal opportunities, human trafficking, poverty and domestic violence as some challenges facing the Nigerian woman.
Mrs Mary Epkere-Eta, the Director-General, National Centre for Women Development in Abuja, said that increasing the role of women was critical for economic resilience and growth.
She therefore called for more of women inclusiveness in economic and other programmes geared toward national growth and development.
“Globally, women and girls continue to face various forms of vulnerability and discrimination such as lack of access to resources, harassment or abuse and exploitation.
“Gender inequality is intrinsically linked to women underdevelopment because Nigeria is a society in which women and men don’t enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all spheres of life.
“The economic empowerment of women is a prerequisite for sustainable development, pro-poor growth and the achievement of all development goals,” she said. (NAN)
