Women Empowerment Vital To Attainment Of MDGs – HOS

Women empowerment and the education of the girl child have been identified as key to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Rivers State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Esther Anucha gave the hint at a forum to mark the 2012 International Women’s Day organised by the Women Committee of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress held at the Ministry of Justice Auditorium in Port Harcourt.

Mrs. Anucha noted that no country could attain the MDGs by 2015 if concerted efforts were not made on gender equality, women empowerment and the education of the girl child, noting that the continued discrimination against women and girls does not augur well for the development of the nation.

Represented by the Director of Administration in the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mrs. Christa Soberekon, the Head of Service called on governments to review the progress made so far in addressing these issues, identify challenges and formulate policies and pogrammes that would promote the welfare of women and girls.

She commended the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan and wife of the State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi for their untiring efforts at improving the status of women in the socio-economic and political spheres of the nation and state.

In her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Joeba West, represented by Mrs. Blessing Dieye decried the prevalence of harmful culture practices such as female genital mutilation, early marriages, sexual manipulation and other vices.

She called on women to rise up to the challenge and carryout aggressive advocacy campaigns against such vices especially the enforcement of the law against female genital mutilation recently passed by the State House of Assembly.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Chief Chris Oruge, represented by Prince Ada Williams expressed solidarity with the Women Committee for their efforts in bringing about a better society through their campaigns for equal participation of both gender in the affairs of the state and nations.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Women Committee, Comrade Edna Onwuasoaya said the theme of this year’s celebration, Connecting Girls: Inspiring Futures, portrays the huge potential inherent in the girl child which when properly harnessed would translate to even development and ensure a brighter future for the nation.