In order to enhance the repositioning of the female genda to attain inclusiveness in the 21st century, a university teacher, Prof. Blessing E. Ahiauzu, has identified legal reforms and education among the factors to give women their right of place.
Prof. Ahiauzu, who disclosed this in a presentation, recently, at the maiden celebration ceremony of “Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED)”, held at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, said it is the way forward for women inclusiveness in the 21st century.
In her paper titled, “Repositioning the Female Gender For Inclusiveness In the 21st Century”, she explained that a repositioning should begin with legal reform.
“Governments should enact and enforce laws that promote genda equality and protect women’s right.
“This includes addressing issues such as violence against women, equal pay, reproductive right, and access to education and health care”, she said.
Ahiauzu also said this should be followed by education of women in order to raise their awareness about gender equality issues.
She said, this “is crucial in challenging stereotypes and promoting positive change”.
There is also the need, she continued, to economically empower the women by promoting economic opportunities for them.
“This involves equal pay, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and providing access to credit and resources to help women thrive in the workforce and business sectors”, she stated.
Other factors, she said, are: ending violence against women, ensuring women’s health, and reproductive rights, encouraging political participation by women, and engaging men and boys in the promotion of gender equality.
She also advocated partnership and collaboration between governments, collection of up-to-date data on women and gender issues, challenging gender norms in the society that perpetuate gender stereotypes, have an all inclusive approach to women’s rights, and empowering civil societies that support and strengthen women-led CSOs.
In her presentation at the occasion, the Coordinator of WITED in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Dr. Minafuro McFubara, harped on the focus of WITED.
According to her, the focus includes: empowering women through education and training, to enable them discover their true potentials; addressing challenges of sexual harassment, fostering a safe and respectful learning environment; and ensuring provision of essential facilities for female students to thrive.
Others, she said, are “organising seminars on financial management to enhance income streams; celebrating outstanding female alumni and distinguished students through the WITED Kenpoly Model Awards; as well as fulfilling our corporate social responsibility by providing technical skills to the less privileged girl child in the society, widows, unemployed women, and retired yet driven women”.