Commissioner Advocates For Gender Parity Initiative 

Commissioner for Women Affairs in Rivers State, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, has emphasized the importance of achieving gender parity across various aspects of life.

She said this would ensure adequate representation and opportunities for women to enable them empower themselves and reduce  stereotypes, biases, and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Dr. Uranta made the call in Port Harcourt recently at a summit organised by Shevolve Summit, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) with the theme, “Dare to Lead”.

She noted that “while gender equality may seem a herculean task given the prevailing cultural prejudices in Africa, gender parity becomes a more viable option as it seeks to achieve a balance between men and women in society”.

According to her, participation of women and girls in decision making positions of trust, education and politics, etc. should be encouraged to enable them maximize their full potentials.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to advise women to build stronger family bonds and values, saying the family is the smallest unit of the larger society.

She insisted that most often, GBV begins at the family level, as such, “women should be on the look out for red flags that signal GBV and report same to relevant authorities if need be, for appropriate actions to be  taken”.

She urged the men to render the needed support to women, stressing that the journey of self actualization cannot be done without the encouragement of the menfolk, adding that women are not in competition with the men but aim to complement the efforts of men in the society.

Convener of the Shevolve Summit, Dr. Ezinne Okulehie, revealed that the summit was organised to encourage women evolve into better versions of themselves, live boldly and add value wherever they find themselves.

LDr. Okulehie said the summit gathered over 1000 women from various spheres of life to brainstorm and seek ways of improving themselves in order to improve the society.

She thanked the State Government for the support given to her organisation and expressed optimism towards greater collaboration in the future.